Missing South Carolina baby found alive in buried dog crate

Searchers found Koah Sharpe on Tuesday 10 November after spotting freshly disturbed earth in woodland near his grandfather’s home, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. As they began digging, they heard the baby crying.

Koon said Koah had been buried in a dog crate wrapped in a towel. The boy was taken to hospital; the Associated Press reported that his condition was not immediately known on Wednesday. Koon said he hoped the child would make a full recovery.

Koah’s great-aunt, Amber Hammond, watched as he was freed from the crate. “We’re better now that we know that Koah is safe,” she told the Associated Press.

The sheriff’s department said Koah had been taken by his father, Michael Comer, on Monday. Comer was arrested that evening on a burglary charge, but the baby was not with him. Local, state and federal agencies joined the search near Batesburg-Leesville.

Koon said investigators were working with prosecutors to determine further charges.