Crime & Safety
South Carolina: Baby Found Alive After 24 Hours Buried Underground
Lexington County, SC – An 11 month old baby is recovering after being found alive Tuesday in a crate buried underground in Lexington County, following an extensive search involving more than 100 emerg
By Miles Carter · 2026-11-11T22:44:30.997Z
Lexington County, SC – An 11 month old baby is recovering after being found alive Tuesday in a crate buried underground in Lexington County, following an extensive search involving more than 100 emergency responders.
According to the Lexington County Sheriff 's Department, the child, identified as Koah Sharp, survived approximately 24 hours underground before search crews discovered him near a home in Batesburg Leesville, southwest of Columbia.
Search Crews Hear Baby Crying Underground Authorities said Koah had been left in the care of 25 year old Michael Comer while another caregiver was expected to arrive.
When the caregiver arrived, both Comer and the infant were missing.
Deputies responded around lunchtime Monday to Comer's father's residence on Parthenon Road, where they discovered open doors, an empty house and baby items.
Surveillance footage later showed Comer in Batesburg Leesville without the child.
Investigators located and arrested Comer Monday night while he was allegedly hiding inside an outbuilding.
Koah remained missing.
More than 100 law enforcement officers and public safety personnel joined the search.
On Tuesday, search crews discovered freshly disturbed ground near Comer's father's residence.
As responders approached the area, they heard the infant crying underground.
Crews immediately rescued Koah and transported him to a hospital.
Suspect Faces Attempted Murder Charge Comer faces charges of attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary, according to arrest warrants.
Sheriff Jay Koon described the urgency of the rescue.
"As you can imagine, the race was on. Everyone was trying to get him out," Koon said.
Koah was released from the hospital Tuesday night and reunited with family members.
According to investigators, medical professionals expect the infant to make a full recovery.