Lexington County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that an 11‑month‑old boy, Koah Sharpe, was rescued alive after being buried in a small wire dog crate for about a day. The dramatic rescue took place on November 10 near the town of Batesburg‑Leesville, following a multi‑agency search that involved more than 100 officers, firefighters and volunteers.
How the search unfolded
According to Sheriff Jay Koon, investigators believe Koah’s father, Michael Comer, took the child from his paternal grandmother’s home on November 9. The grandmother had left the infant with Comer while she ran an errand, expecting another caregiver to arrive shortly. When the second caregiver arrived, both the child and Comer were gone.
Law enforcement quickly issued an appeal for information and launched a coordinated search that included the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Searchers focused on the woods surrounding the home of Comer’s father, looking for any sign of disturbance.
Discovery of the crate
Search teams noticed fresh pine straw and disturbed soil, prompting them to dig. As they worked, they heard faint cries. The source of the sound was a small wire dog crate, roughly two feet by two feet, wrapped in a towel and buried under about a foot of soil. Koon suggested the towel may have created an air pocket that helped the infant survive the lack of oxygen.
“So as you imagine, the race was on,” Koon said at the press conference. “Everybody’s getting down there trying to get him out.”
Medical outcome and next steps
Emergency personnel extracted Koah and rushed him to a local hospital, where doctors expect a full recovery. Sheriff Koon emphasized the importance of the rapid response and the cooperation among agencies that made the rescue possible.
Michael Comer, 25, was arrested later that night on a burglary charge. He also faces resisting arrest charges, and investigators are working with prosecutors to determine any additional accusations.
Community response
The incident has sparked a wave of gratitude from residents who praised the dedication of first responders and volunteers. Many expressed relief that the child survived under such harrowing circumstances and called for continued vigilance in protecting vulnerable children.
Law enforcement officials reminded the public that any suspicious activity, especially involving children, should be reported immediately. The coordinated effort serves as a reminder of the strength of community partnerships when protecting families and upholding public safety.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
