11-Month-Old Infant Survives 24 Hours Buried Alive in South Carolina
An 11-month-old South Carolina infant survived over 24 hours buried underground inside a dog crate before rescue teams pulled him to safety. His father was arrested.
An 11-month-old infant in South Carolina survived being buried alive in a dog crate for more than 24 hours, local authorities reported. The baby, identified as Koah Sharp, was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, while his 25-year-old father, Michael Commer, was arrested and faces multiple felony charges.
The ordeal began on Monday morning when the child's mother left him briefly in the care of Commer while a babysitter was en route. By the time the caregiver arrived, both the father and the infant had vanished. Family members reported the child missing by Monday afternoon, prompting a massive search involving over 100 law enforcement officers and emergency personnel from local, state, and federal agencies.
Investigators discovered the infant's belongings inside Commer's home with the doors left wide open, though there was no trace of the father or the son. Authorities noted they were unable to issue an Amber Alert because Commer did not have a vehicle or a registered license plate to publicize.
Late Monday night, police tracked down and arrested Commer hiding in a shed in the town of Batesburg, charging him with burglary and resisting arrest. However, during questioning, he refused to disclose the location of the infant.
The dramatic breakthrough occurred after search teams combing a wooded area about 45 meters from Commer's home noticed freshly dug dirt covered with pine needles. As officers began digging, they heard the faint cries of the baby coming from beneath the ground.
Rescuers pulled a 60-by-60-centimeter dog crate out of a shallow burial hole. The infant was locked inside, wrapped in a towel that deputies believe created a vital air pocket, allowing him to survive underground for more than a day.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon expressed optimism regarding the child's recovery despite his critical condition. Investigators revealed that Commer and the child's mother had a history of domestic violence, and the suspect is currently held behind bars awaiting further legal proceedings.
