Koah Sharpe, 11 months old, was hospitalized after searchers heard him crying beneath freshly disturbed dirt in Lexington County.
BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, SC — An 11-month-old boy was found alive Tuesday after searchers discovered him inside a dog crate that had been shallowly buried in woods, ending an urgent search that began after the child disappeared with his father, South Carolina authorities said.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said Koah Sharpe was wrapped in a towel inside the crate and was crying when searchers reached him. Authorities believe the infant had been underground for about 24 hours. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, and Koon said officials were hopeful he would make a full recovery.
The search began after Koah went missing Monday, Nov. 9. Investigators said the boy had been in the care of his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department initially announced that Koah had been taken by Comer and said investigators knew Comer had traveled to several locations in the county despite not having access to a vehicle.
Deputies found Comer late Monday night, but Koah was not with him. Comer was arrested on a burglary charge, according to the sheriff’s department. Koon later said Comer also faced a resisting arrest charge. Authorities were working with the local solicitor’s office to determine whether additional charges should be filed. No motive for the child’s disappearance or burial had been publicly established.
The search expanded Tuesday as Lexington County deputies worked alongside firefighters and state and federal agencies. The sheriff’s department said the effort included personnel from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Nearly 100 first responders took part in the search, Koon said.
Investigators eventually focused on woods near the home of Comer’s father. Koon said searchers noticed pine straw and freshly disturbed dirt about 50 yards into the wooded area. When they began examining and digging into the ground, they heard the baby crying beneath the surface.
Searchers quickly uncovered the crate and removed Koah. Koon said investigators believe the towel around the crate may have created enough space for air to reach the child while he was underground. Authorities have not released detailed medical information about the infant’s condition beyond saying that he was alive and receiving hospital care.
The discovery followed hours of public appeals for information about Koah’s whereabouts. Before he was found, the sheriff’s department described him as a 20-pound infant with reddish-blond hair and blue eyes who often used a pacifier. Officials asked anyone who had seen Koah or had been asked to care for him to contact investigators immediately.
The investigation remained active Wednesday. Comer was in custody after his arrest Monday night, while authorities continued reviewing the circumstances surrounding Koah’s disappearance and determining what additional criminal charges, if any, were supported by the investigation.
Author note: Last updated November 11, 2026.