Father Arrested After Baby Found Buried Alive in Dog Crate
Searchers found 11-month-old Koah Sharpe alive Tuesday in a buried wire dog crate near Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. Investigators say his father, Michael Comer, took him Monday.
- 24 hours: the sheriff's estimate of how long the boy was buried.
- 50 yards into woods near his paternal grandfather's home, searchers found disturbed dirt.
- Nearly 100 officers, firefighters and other responders joined the search.
- A towel around the crate likely created an air pocket, Sheriff Koon said.
Why it matters: The boy was in his grandmother's care Monday when Comer arrived. She left on an errand, and Comer and the baby were gone before another caregiver came.
- Deputies arrested Comer late Monday in an outbuilding on burglary charges.
- Koon said Comer gave no information about the baby's location.
How 6 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 3 sources: The center frames it as a local law enforcement story, detailing the search, timeline and arrest.
Left coverage, 2 sources: The left frames it as a rescue story, centered on the sheriff's account of finding the baby alive.
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right frames it around the father's arrest and the family, including the mother's claim that jealousy drove him.
What’s next: Authorities are working with prosecutors to decide what further charges Comer could face.
- The boy is hospitalized; Koon said he hopes for a full recovery.
- Why did Comer allegedly bury the child? Investigators have not established a motive.
- What prior issues between Comer and the child's mother did the sheriff reference?
- Does Comer have an attorney, and how will he respond to the charges?
