After Baby Found Buried Alive in Dog Crate, His Father Charged With Attempted Murder/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ A South Carolina father faces attempted murder and other charges after authorities rescued his 11-month-old son from a buried dog crate. The child, Koah, was found after approximately 24 hours and is expected to make a full recovery. Michael Comer, 25, was scheduled for a bond hearing Thursday, while authorities have not disclosed a motive.
Quick Look
- Charges filed: Michael Comer faces attempted murder, burglary and unlawfully placing a child at risk.
- Child survived: Koah, 11 months old, was released from the hospital Tuesday night.
- Search effort: Dozens of first responders searched for approximately 24 hours.
- Discovery: Rescuers noticed disturbed soil and heard the child crying underground.
- Survival factors: The sheriff cited cool temperatures and an air pocket around the buried crate.
- Court appearance: Comer was scheduled for a Thursday bond hearing.
- Prior conviction: He received probation in October after pleading guilty to domestic violence involving the child’s mother.
Deep Look
Father Faces Charges After Infant’s Rescue
LEXINGTON, S.C. — A South Carolina man accused of burying his 11-month-old son alive in a dog crate was scheduled for a bond hearing Thursday as the child recovered following his rescue.
Michael Comer, 25, has been charged with attempted murder, burglary and unlawfully placing a child at risk.
He has been held in Lexington County since Monday, when his son, Koah, was reported missing.
The boy survived and is expected to make a full recovery. He was released from the hospital Tuesday night, according to Sheriff Jay Koon.
Cries Beneath Disturbed Soil Led Rescuers to Child
Dozens of first responders searched the countryside for the infant, who has reddish blond hair.
After approximately 24 hours, authorities discovered freshly disturbed soil among scrubby pine trees and heard cries coming from underground, Koon said.
Rescuers uncovered the crate and freed Koah, whom the sheriff described as “clinging to life” when found.
Cool temperatures and an air pocket created by a towel wrapped around the buried crate likely helped the child survive, Koon said.
Grandfather Describes Shock at Discovery
John Comer said he welcomed his son and grandson into his home Monday after Michael Comer told him they needed somewhere to stay.
On Wednesday, he showed an Associated Press reporter the small hole on a neighbor’s property where rescuers found Koah.
“I cannot imagine how somebody could come to the point that that would be the right thing to do, or the thing to do at all,” John Comer said.
Authorities Have Not Disclosed a Motive
Investigators have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged crime.
Michael Comer was sentenced to probation in October after pleading guilty to domestic violence involving Koah’s mother.
The boy’s parents “have had some situations,” Koon said.
“Children,” he added, “sometimes get caught in the middle.”
The charges against Comer remain allegations. The supplied report did not include an outcome from Thursday’s scheduled bond hearing.
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