South Carolina Baby Found Alive in Buried Dog Crate

Koah Sharpe was found crying beneath freshly disturbed earth in a wooded area about 50 yards from his paternal grandfather’s home. Searchers began digging after noticing the disturbed ground and heard the baby as they worked. Authorities said the discovery came on November 10, 2026, after a search involving nearly 100 officers, firefighters and other officials, including state and federal agencies.

The sheriff said Koah had been wrapped in a towel inside a wire dog crate measuring about two feet by two feet. He estimated the boy had been buried for roughly 24 hours. The towel may have left an air pocket, and cool weather may also have helped him survive.

Koah had been in the care of his paternal grandmother on Monday. She left him with his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer, while a different caregiver was expected to arrive. When that caregiver got there, Comer and the baby had both disappeared. Family members reported Koah missing later that afternoon.

Authorities arrested Comer late Monday on a burglary charge, having located him inside an outbuilding in Batesburg. Koah was not with him. The sheriff said investigators believe Comer traveled around the county by getting rides, and an Amber Alert was not issued because authorities lacked a known vehicle description and license plate.

Koah was taken to a hospital and was receiving care Tuesday afternoon. Comer remained in custody, and authorities were working with prosecutors on possible additional charges. Court and state records show Comer had recently been placed on probation after pleading guilty to aggravated breach of peace, and had earlier arrests this year involving domestic violence and a weapons-related charge.