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When an 11-month-old baby was reported missing in South Carolina, dozens of first responders scoured the countryside in search of the “bright-eyed child with reddish-blonde hair” who had disappeared while his grandmother was running errands.
After a full day of searching, authorities found turned-up earth not far from the boy's grandfather's house. They began digging and soon unearthed little Koah Sharp, who was “clinging to life” after having been buried alive inside a dog crate wrapped in a towel, police reported.
“God is certainly good,” declared Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon at a press conference on Tuesday shortly after Koah was found.
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“He was screaming at the top of his lungs, which I guess is a good thing for a baby,” he added.
The child’s father, 25-year-old Michael Comer, was arrested and remained jailed without bond on a burglary charge, Koon indicated. He noted that investigators were working with prosecutors to confirm additional charges.
The towel likely created an air pocket that allowed the baby to breathe, the sheriff explained. Cool temperatures may have also helped.
Koah, who went missing on Monday in the county west of Columbia, was taken to a hospital. No information on his condition has been provided.
“We are better now that we know Koah is safe,” his great-aunt, Amber Hammond, told The Associated Press in an interview. She was there when he was freed from the crate.
Deputies who searched the grandfather's house found the doors open and the baby's belongings inside, but did not see Comer or the child, the sheriff noted. Then the digging began.
“It was shallow,” Koon commented. “I think once that crate hit the ground, there was probably at least about a foot (30 centimeters) from the top of that crate to the surface.”
It is not currently known if Comer has an attorney. A phone number for him could not be found. The Associated Press sent emails seeking information to the public defender and prosecutors.
Nearly 100 first responders participated in the search.
Authorities said Koah was in the care of Comer's mother. She had to run an errand and left the child in Comer's care. Another caregiver was on the way, Koon indicated.
“By the time the caregiver arrived, Michael was no longer there, and neither was Koah,” explained Koon.
Surveillance videos from several local businesses showed Comer without the baby on Monday afternoon, Koon noted. The father was located on Monday night and was arrested.
Koah's parents “have had some situations” related to domestic violence, the sheriff said.
“Children sometimes get caught in the middle,” he declared.
Comer was sentenced to probation in October after pleading guilty to domestic violence and aggravated breach of peace charges related to a July arrest, according to Lexington County court records. Prosecutors dropped a weapons charge as part of the plea deal.
[Publicidad]