Lexington:An 11-month-old baby boy has been safely rescued after being buried alive by his father for approximately 24 hours in a wooded area in Lexington, South Carolina.
According to Thai News Agency, the boy's father, 25-year-old Michael A. Comer, allegedly placed the infant in a dog cage and buried him underground. The incident occurred after Koa Sharp, the infant, went missing from his home on Monday afternoon. His grandmother had left him in Comer's care while she ran errands. Upon the arrival of another caregiver, neither Comer nor the baby were present.
Security footage later captured Comer walking alone in the area. He was found hiding in a shed on Monday night and was arrested on charges of trespassing and resisting arrest, but he did not disclose his son's location. A large-scale search was initiated, involving nearly 100 police officers, rescue workers, firefighters, state agencies, and the FBI.
On Tuesday afternoon, the search team discovered signs of freshly disturbed soil covered with pine needles about 50 yards from the child's grandfather's house. As officers began to dig, they heard a child's cries coming from beneath the soil. The child was found in a 2x2 foot wire dog cage, with towels wrapped around it, which created air pockets allowing him to breathe. The cold temperatures contributed to his survival by preventing dehydration or overheating.
The baby has been transported to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Authorities believe Comer orchestrated the act and are collaborating with prosecutors to file additional charges while investigating his motives. Local media reported Comer's prior arrests for domestic violence and weapons-related offenses.