Michael Comer Faces String Of Charges After Baby Found Buried Alive - Newsweek

A South Carolina father accused of burying his 11-month-old son alive in a dog crate is facing an attempted murder charge, just over a month after being sentenced to probation for domestic violence and another offense.

Michael Comer, 25, was charged with four offenses after his son, Koah Sharp, was found buried in woods near Batesburg-Leesville on Tuesday.

The baby is believed to have spent around 24 hours underground before rescuers heard him crying beneath freshly disturbed soil.

Koah has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.

Comer faces attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary charges, according to the sheriff's department.

He was arrested Monday night after deputies found him hiding in an outbuilding in Batesburg-Leesville. Investigators said the circumstances of his arrest led to the burglary charge.

Koah was still missing at the time.

The following afternoon, a search involving more than 100 law enforcement and public safety personnel ended when rescuers discovered the baby buried in a wire dog crate wrapped in a towel.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said the towel may have created an air pocket that allowed Koah to survive. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the alleged crime.

Comer pleaded guilty to two offenses on October 8, just over a month before his latest arrest, according to South Carolina court records reviewed by local news outlet FITSNews.

He admitted aggravated breach of peace, a reduced charge stemming from his July 22 arrest for first-degree assault and battery.

Comer received a youthful offender sentence of up to five years, suspended after 78 days already served, followed by 13 months of probation.

Prosecutors also dropped a charge of pointing and presenting a firearm at another person arising from the same arrest.

In a separate case, Comer pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence, reduced from a second-degree domestic violence charge, following his arrest on May 13. He received a concurrent sentence, with credit for time already served.

Both guilty pleas were entered before South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Jane H. Merrill. It remains unclear whether his latest arrest will lead to proceedings for violating his probation.

Koah's mother has been identified as Dezarae Sharp, who has spoken publicly about her son's recovery.

In a Facebook post, Sharp said Koah was doing well and staying with a family friend while she was hospitalized for treatment of a pregnancy-related condition.

She also disputed claims that her son had been taken from her custody and said she would speak further when she was feeling better.

A fundraiser organized by Koah's aunt, Kelsey Gray, said the family was seeking help with medical and legal expenses. Gray said Sharp was pregnant and hospitalized while the family dealt with the aftermath of Koah's disappearance.

According to Sheriff Koon, Koah had been in the care of his paternal grandmother, Comer's mother, before he went missing. She left the baby with Comer while running an errand, with another caregiver due to arrive shortly afterward.

By the time that person arrived, Comer and Koah were gone. Authorities have not publicly detailed the parents' custody arrangements.

Koah was reported missing Monday after relatives became concerned about his whereabouts. Investigators found surveillance footage showing Comer in the Batesburg-Leesville area without his son. After Comer was arrested that night, the search continued into Tuesday.

Search teams eventually spotted disturbed soil in woods near the home of Comer's father. As they began digging, they heard the baby crying.

Sheriff Koon said: "As you can imagine, the race was on. Everyone was trying to get him out."

Koah was found in a shallow grave inside a wire dog crate covered by a towel. He was taken to a hospital and released Tuesday night. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Tony Phillips.