Sheriff: South Carolina baby found alive after being buried in dog crate

An 11-month-old boy, Koah Sharpe, was found alive Tuesday afternoon in woods in Lexington County, South Carolina. He had been buried in a dog crate wrapped in a towel. Sheriff Jay Koon said authorities believe he was underground for about 24 hours.

Rescuers dug up the disturbed soil roughly 50 yards inside the tree line, close to the grandfather's house, and could hear the boy crying as they worked. Koon said the boy was "clinging to life" and was taken to a hospital, and he hopes for a full recovery. The boy's father, Michael Comer, 25, was arrested Monday night on a burglary charge without the child, and authorities suspect him of burying the boy.

Koon said Comer's mother left the boy in Comer's care while she ran an errand, and when another caregiver arrived, both were gone. No Amber Alert was issued because Comer has no car, Koon said. The sheriff said the towel probably created an air pocket that let the boy breathe.

The sheriff's office was working with prosecutors on further charges. The Blaze reports that a Wednesday sheriff's office release says Comer is now charged with attempted murder, among other counts.