Missing 11-month-old baby found buried alive in dog crate after father allegedly took him

An 11-month-old baby boy has been found buried alive inside a dog crate in South Carolina, United States, more than 24 hours after he was allegedly taken by his father.

The baby, identified as Koah Sharpe, was discovered inside a dog crate wrapped in a towel and buried in a shallow hole on Tuesday, November 10, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

Speaking to reporters, Koon said the crate likely provided enough air for the baby to survive after spending approximately 24 hours underground.

The incident began when Koah's grandmother, who had been caring for him, briefly left him with his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer, while another caregiver was on the way.

However, when the caregiver arrived, Comer and the baby were reportedly missing.

“By the time the caregiver got there, Michael was gone and Koah was gone with him,” the sheriff said.

The baby's relatives subsequently filed a missing person report on Monday afternoon, November 9, prompting a massive search involving more than 100 first responders from local, state and federal agencies.

Investigators reportedly discovered Koah's belongings at Comer's residence, where both doors were left open, but there was no sign of the father or child.

According to the sheriff, investigators believed Comer had moved around several locations in the county on Monday, getting rides from different people.

He was eventually found hiding in a shed in Batesburg that night and arrested on suspicion of burglary and resisting arrest.

However, he reportedly provided little information about the whereabouts of his son.

During a search near Comer's residence the following day, authorities discovered freshly disturbed soil and pine straw in a wooded area about 50 yards away.

As officers began digging, they heard the baby crying beneath the ground.

“So as you imagine, the race was on. Everybody’s getting down there trying to get him out,” Koon said.

The sheriff disclosed that the baby had been buried inside a two-by-two-foot crate in a shallow hole for approximately 24 hours before his rescue.

He added that wrapping the crate in a towel may have created an air pocket that allowed the child to survive.

Koah was rushed to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon. However, Koon expressed hope that the baby would make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, Comer remained in custody as authorities prepared to determine additional charges connected to his son's disappearance.

The sheriff said investigators had yet to establish a motive but disclosed that there had been previous domestic violence incidents involving Comer and the baby's mother.

His arrest came barely a month after he was placed on probation following a guilty plea to aggravated breach of peace. He had also reportedly faced domestic violence and weapons-related charges earlier in the year.