An 11-month-old boy was found alive in South Carolina after being buried for about 24 hours, local police said.
The baby, Koah Sharpe, was found Tuesday wrapped in a dog crate that was in turn wrapped in a towel and buried just below the surface in the woods, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
“Surely God is good. Just moments ago we found little Koah, 11 months old, buried alive, clinging to life, crying – the happiest sound you’ve ever heard from a baby crying,” Sheriff Jay Koon said at a news conference.
Koon said the baby’s father, Michael Comer, 25, was arrested Monday evening on suspicion of burglary. The Sheriff’s Department is working with prosecutors to determine additional charges.
Koon said the towel wrapped around the crate had “by the grace of God, probably provided enough air for (Koah) to survive, in our estimation, the last 24 hours under this filth.”
Koah went missing Monday after being taken into the care of his father at his mother’s home while she ran an errand, Koon said.
The boy was later reported missing and authorities launched an extensive search, the sheriff said.
Koah was found after a search team discovered “freshly disturbed” dirt in the woods about 50 yards (45 yards) from Comer’s father’s house, Koon said.
“As they started digging, you could hear little Koah crying. As you can imagine, the race was on, everyone was there trying to get him out.”
Koah was hospitalized and “hopefully” he recovers, Koon said.
Koon said about 100 people were searching for Koah.
“We want to thank everyone and celebrate today that an 11-month-old baby is alive.”
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