An 11-month-old boy missing in South Carolina was rescued Tuesday after spending about 24 hours buried underground in a dog crate, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said, according to Associated Press reporting published by CBC.

Koah Sharp was taken to hospital after searchers found him in woods near his grandfather’s home. His condition was not immediately known Wednesday.

Koon said a towel wrapped around the crate likely created an air pocket that helped the infant survive. Cool temperatures may also have helped, he said.

Nearly 100 first responders took part in the search in Lexington County, west of Columbia. After a full day of searching, authorities noticed freshly disturbed soil and began digging. Koon estimated there was at least a foot of earth above the crate.

The sheriff described Koah as “clinging to life” when he was discovered, but said the baby cried loudly after being freed.

“He was screaming at the top of his lungs, which is a good thing in the baby world, I would guess,” Koon said at a news conference.

The child’s father, Michael Comer, 25, was arrested Monday night and was being held without bond on a burglary charge. Investigators were working with prosecutors on further charges, Koon said. The reporting did not identify any additional charges that had been laid.

Authorities said Koah had been staying with Comer’s mother. She left him with Comer while she ran an errand, with another caregiver expected to arrive. By the time that caregiver reached the home, both Comer and the baby were gone, Koon said.

Surveillance footage from area businesses showed Comer without the infant Monday afternoon, according to the sheriff. Deputies searching the grandfather’s home found open doors and baby belongings, but neither Comer nor Koah was there.

Koah’s great-aunt, Amber Hammond, witnessed his rescue. “We’re better now that we know that Koah is safe,” she told AP.

It was not immediately known whether Comer had a lawyer. AP reported that it had sought information from the public defender and prosecutors.

Sources