Michael Comer charged with attempted murder after South Carolina baby rescue
Authorities say Michael Comer faces attempted murder and other charges after his 11-month-old son was found alive in a buried dog crate.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
Michael Comer attempted murder charges were filed after his 11-month-old son was found alive Tuesday in Lexington County, South Carolina, authorities said. Comer, 25, is accused, and the charges are allegations rather than a conviction.
Lexington County authorities also charged Comer with unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary, according to WBTV. He had initially been arrested on burglary and resisting-arrest charges, ABC News reported.
What charges does Michael Comer face?
Authorities said Comer now faces attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary. No court outcome was reported in the available accounts.
The case began Monday, when relatives reported the child and Comer missing after another caregiver arrived and found that both were gone, according to WBTV.
Deputies located Comer late Monday in the Batesburg-Leesville area, but the child was not with him, ABC News reported. WBTV said authorities found Comer in a shed in Batesburg.
How was the child found?
Searchers went to the home of Comer's father Tuesday afternoon and found pine straw and freshly disturbed dirt, according to WBTV. Sheriff Jay Koon said searchers heard the child crying as they began digging, ABC News reported.
Officials said the child was alive inside a dog crate, wrapped in a towel and buried under dirt near the house. Sheriff Koon said investigators believed the child had been buried for about 24 hours, an estimate reported by NBC News and WBTV.
The child was treated at a hospital and was expected to make a full recovery, according to NBC News. Authorities have not publicly established the allegations in court.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.