Bond Denied for South Carolina Man Michael Comer in Baby's Burial Case

A South Carolina man remains in custody after a judge denied bond for the alleged attempt to bury his 11-month-old son alive in a dog crate.

Michael Comer, 25, faces charges of attempted murder, burglary, and unlawfully placing a child at risk, according to WRAL. The charges stem from the disappearance of Koah Sharp, a baby who was discovered by rescuers roughly 24 hours after being placed underground in a clump of scrubby pines.

Magistrate Gary W. Reinhart denied bond on Thursday following testimony from Tyler Douglas, the lead investigator for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Douglas told the court that Comer showed no remorse for the act and had attempted to flee the state.

Missing South Carolina baby found buried alive — CNN

“God had to have laid in the ground with Koah for the entire, entirety of that time,” said John Comer, the defendant’s father, after the hearing. “Only God can deliver miracles in this fashion.”

The investigation began on Monday when the infant was reported missing. Dozens of first responders searched the countryside before authorities located freshly disturbed soil and heard cries coming from beneath the surface, the sheriff said.

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Rescuers found the child inside a dog crate, which John Comer described as “just a piece of junk” that had been lying around his house. The infant likely survived due to an air pocket created by a towel wrapped around the crate and the relatively cool temperatures, according to the sheriff.

Koah was released from a hospital on Tuesday night and is expected to make a full recovery, Sheriff Jay Koon said.

Baby rescued after buried alive in crate for 24 hours in South Carolina woods; father arrested — WTHR

The family's recent history suggests they have been unstable. In a 911 call released Thursday, Patricia Comer told a dispatcher that her son suffered from “severe schizophrenia and bipolar and depression.” She noted she had been “kindly worried” about leaving the child with his father that morning, adding that Michael had threatened to kill himself the previous night.

While the mother, identified by family members as Dezarae Sharp, has not responded to messages, the sheriff said that the parents “have had some situations” and that children “sometimes get caught in the middle.”

11-month-old South Carolina boy found safe after being buried alive — News 19 WLTX

Those records show that in May, Comer pushed Sharp from behind while she was holding the infant, causing the baby to strike a clothes dryer.

The defendant’s father provided a different perspective on his son’s demeanor leading up to the disappearance. John Comer, who has been largely estranged from his son, said Michael appeared “perfectly rational” when he picked up the child and the mother on Monday.

SC father accused of burying infant son alive denied bond — WSPA 7News

“He was not emotional. He was not excited. He was just, he appeared a loving, a loving and caring father,” John Comer told reporters outside the law enforcement complex. “He fed the baby. He changed the baby’s diaper. He held the baby. The baby played for a while. He was in his right mind.”

Authorities have not yet released a specific motive for the attempted killing.

Magistrate Reinhart approved a public defender for Comer and scheduled a follow-up hearing for Dec. 10. Comer has remained in custody in Lexington County since Monday.

“Koah’s alive. He’s alive. That’s what matters,” said John Comer, choking back a sob.

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