Missing 11-Month-Old Koah Sharpe Found Alive After Being Buried in Lexington County Woods

Batesburg, SC 11/10/2026 - In a remarkable and emotional outcome to an extensive search, 11-month-old Koah Sharpe was found alive Tuesday afternoon after spending an estimated 24 hours buried underground inside a wire dog crate in a wooded area of Lexington County.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon announced the discovery during a news conference, describing the moment rescuers heard the infant crying beneath the ground as one of the most emotional moments of the search.

According to Sheriff Koon, Koah was discovered near Parthenon Road, approximately 50 yards into a wooded area. The infant was inside a small wire dog crate, wrapped in a towel and buried beneath approximately a foot of dirt.

"Eleven months old, buried alive, clinging to life, crying," Koon said as he described the infant's condition when rescuers located him.

The sheriff called the sound of the baby's cries "the most joyful sound you ever heard of a crying baby."

Nearly 100 law enforcement officers and public safety personnel had been involved in the search when investigators noticed an area of freshly disturbed earth in the woods.

Crime scene investigators, working alongside personnel from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the FBI, began examining the location and carefully digging.

"As they probed it and laid it out and started digging, you could hear little Koah crying," Koon explained. "So as you imagine, the race was on. Everybody's getting down there trying to get him out."

Investigators determined that the wire crate measured approximately two feet by two feet and had been wrapped in a towel before being buried.

Koon said investigators believe the towel may have helped create an air pocket that allowed the infant to survive. Temperatures in the area were estimated to be around 40 degrees.

Once Koah was pulled from the ground, emergency medical personnel immediately took over and transported him to a hospital for treatment. The sheriff expressed hope that the child would make a full recovery but did not provide additional details about his medical condition.

Disappearance Prompted Extensive Search

According to investigators, Koah had been in the care of his paternal grandmother on Monday. When she left to run an errand, the child was temporarily placed with his father, Michael Comer, while another caregiver was on the way.

However, when the caregiver arrived, both Comer and the infant were missing.

Deputies were notified around lunchtime Monday and immediately began efforts to locate the father and child.

Investigators traveled to the home of Comer's father on Parthenon Road, where they discovered the doors open and baby belongings inside. Neither Comer nor Koah was there.

Sheriff Koon said investigators later obtained surveillance footage showing Comer at several businesses in the Batesburg-Leesville area without the infant.

Comer was eventually located Monday night inside an outbuilding at a residence off Columbia Avenue in Batesburg. He was arrested on charges of burglary and resisting arrest.

However, the whereabouts of Koah remained unknown.

According to Koon, Comer provided investigators with little information that would help locate the missing child, prompting authorities to continue their search.

Additional Charges Under Review

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Koah's disappearance and the events that led to the infant being buried inside the crate.

Sheriff Koon said investigators are working with the solicitor's office to determine what additional charges may be appropriate in connection with the case.

The sheriff also addressed questions about why an Amber Alert had not been issued. He explained that investigators did not have a vehicle description or license plate number because Comer was believed to be getting rides from other individuals.

Koon expressed appreciation for the law enforcement agencies, emergency responders and members of the public who contributed to the search efforts.

"This press conference this afternoon is just about thanking the good Lord that the baby is still with us," Koon said.

After nearly a day of uncertainty and an extensive search throughout the area, the discovery of Koah alive brought an emotional conclusion to the search for the missing infant.

The Lexington Ledger will continue following this developing story and will provide additional updates as information becomes available from law enforcement officials.