Father charged with attempted murder after baby survives being buried in crate

The father of an 11-month-old boy found alive after being buried in a dog crate has been charged with attempted murder and other counts, authorities said Wednesday.

The baby, Koah Sharp, was allegedly taken by his father, Michael Comer, 25, on Monday and the child was dug out of the ground Tuesday afternoon, the Lexington County, South Carolina, sheriff said.

The baby is expected to make a full recovery. He is believed to have been buried in the wire crate, which was wrapped in a towel for around 24 hours, Sheriff Brayn “Jay” Koon said.

The towel likely created an air pocket that allowed the Koah to breathe, and cool weather may have also helped the child to survive, Koon said.

Comer, who was arrested on a burglary charge after being found in an outbuilding Monday night, is charged with attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary, the sheriff’s office said Wednesday.

Searchers investigating a patch of disturbed earth near a home owned by Comer’s father heard the baby’s cries and quickly unearthed him, Koon said.

Koah was released from the hospital Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said, and the child is with family members.

The child was reported missing early Monday afternoon, authorities said. The report set off a search for the infant that included the FBI, firefighters, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and local law enforcement agencies.

Comer was in custody Wednesday, jail records showed. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Koah’s mother has custody of the child, Comer’s mother has said. The child’s mother told a sheriff’s deputy that she allowed Comer to briefly have the child but only expected that to last a day or two, according to a police report.

The mother told the deputy that Comer had threatened her over Facebook Messenger that he would keep the baby, according to the police report.