An 11-month-old boy who survived more than 24 hours buried alive inside a dog crate has been released from the hospital and reunited with his family. His father faces charges including attempted murder.
Koah Sharp was “clinging to life” when rescuers found him Tuesday afternoon, buried in a shallow dirt hole inside a dog crate wrapped in a towel, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.
The infant was well enough to leave the hospital later Tuesday and return home with his family, the sheriff announced Wednesday.
Doctors expect Koah to make a full recovery, according to his medical team.
Koah’s remarkable survival came as his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer, faced multiple charges, including attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary.
Authorities allege Comer took his son and buried him in a shallow grave Monday after Koah’s mother, Patricia Comer, left the house to run an errand while another caregiver was on the way.
When the caregiver arrived, neither Comer nor Koah could be found.
Concerned about her grandson’s safety, Patricia Comer called 911.
“I had a bad feeling that something was not right,” she told WACH FOX News.
Koah’s grandmother said she had previously worried about her son’s mental health and the ongoing conflict between him and the boy’s mother. She said Comer had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and manic depression.
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She also told investigators that Comer had previously made suicidal comments and had spoken about taking Koah to New York, where he claimed friends could help him find work, WIS 10 reported.
Investigators said they have not established a specific motive, but are aware of the problems between Comer and Koah’s mother, who are no longer in a relationship.
Comer’s family told authorities they believed jealousy may have played a role in his decision to take the child away from his mother.
Comer was arrested Monday after he was found hiding in a shed while Koah was still missing. He was initially charged with burglary.
More than 100 first responders from local, state and federal agencies joined the search for Koah. Investigators eventually noticed a freshly disturbed patch of dirt near Comer’s home, leading them to the child.
As investigators dug, they heard Koah crying beneath the soil.
“As you can imagine, the race was on. Everyone was trying to get him out,” Koon said. “He immediately was placed in the care of EMS and transported to the hospital as soon as they got him out.”
The sheriff believes the towel-wrapped crate created an air pocket that allowed Koah to survive underground.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.