by JENN WOOD
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A Lexington County man has been charged with attempted murder after authorities said he buried his 11-month-old son in a dog crate near the child’s grandfather’s home in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. Searchers found Koah Sharp alive Tuesday afternoon (November 10, 2026) after hearing him cry as they searched an area of freshly disturbed ground.
The infant spent about 24 hours underground, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD). Sheriff Jay Koon said Koah was released from the hospital Tuesday night and is now with family members. His medical team told investigators he is expected to make a full recovery.
Koah’s mother, Dezarae Sharp, said in a Facebook post that her son was doing well and staying with a family friend while she was hospitalized for treatment of a pregnancy-related condition.
Sharp disputed claims that Koah had been taken from her custody. She said she would speak further when she was feeling better.
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Koah’s father, 25-year-old Michael Alexander Comer, faces charges of attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary, the sheriff’s department said Wednesday, citing arrest warrants. Deputies initially arrested Comer on a burglary charge Monday night after finding him hiding in an outbuilding in Batesburg-Leesville. At that point, Koah was still missing.
According to Koon, Comer’s mother had been caring for Koah and left him with Comer while she ran an errand. Another caregiver was on the way. By the time that person arrived, Comer and the child were gone.
Deputies responded around midday Monday to Comer’s father’s home on Parthenon Road. They found both doors open and baby items inside the empty house, Koon said. Investigators later obtained security footage showing Comer in Batesburg-Leesville without Koah.
Before Comer’s arrest, the sheriff’s department had asked the public for help finding him, citing what investigators described at the time as “custody-related concerns.” Authorities said he had last been seen in the Batesburg-Leesville area with the infant.
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More than 100 law enforcement officers and public safety personnel joined the search, Koon said. By Tuesday morning, Lexington County firefighters and agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were helping look for Koah. That afternoon, a search team spotted disturbed ground about 50 yards into the woods near the Parthenon Road home, Koon said. Then they heard Koah crying.
“As you can imagine, the race was on. Everyone was trying to get him out,” Koon said.
At Tuesday’s briefing, Koon described a wire dog crate wrapped in a towel and covered by about a foot of dirt. He said the towel may have helped create an air pocket. Emergency medical personnel took Koah to the hospital after searchers pulled him from the crate.
As FITSNews previously reported, Comer pleaded guilty October 8 to aggravated breach of peace and third-degree domestic violence in separate cases. On the breach-of-peace charge, he received a youthful offender sentence of up to five years, suspended after 78 days already served, followed by 13 months of probation. He received a concurrent sentence with credit for time served in the domestic violence case.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
As a private investigator turned journalist, Jenn Wood brings a unique skill set to FITSNews as its research director. Known for her meticulous sourcing and victim-centered approach, she helps shape the newsroom’s most complex investigative stories while producing the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts. Jenn lives in South Carolina with her family, where her work continues to spotlight truth, accountability, and justice.
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