What Happened

An 11-month-old boy was found alive in a wooded area near Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, on Tuesday, November 10, after a search involving local deputies and other agencies. Lexington County officials said searchers noticed disturbed ground and heard the baby’s cries. They freed him and called for urgent medical care.

Sheriff Jay Koon said the child had been missing since Monday. Searchers believe he had been underground for about a day. A towel around the crate apparently left space for him to breathe. The baby was taken to a hospital and was released Tuesday night. Officials say doctors expect him to recover.

Why the Father Was Charged

Investigators say Michael Comer, 25, had been left to care for the baby while another caregiver was on the way. When that caregiver arrived, the father and child were gone. Police later found Comer, but the baby was not with him.

Comer was arrested on Monday, November 9. By Wednesday, November 11, authorities had announced attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary charges. The allegations are serious. They are not convictions, and a court has not established a motive for the reported actions.

Why It Matters

A child who could not protect himself survived because search teams kept looking and followed the evidence they found. The story is not only about the unusual rescue. It is about a vulnerable baby, the people who searched for him and the need to treat children in immediate danger as an urgent priority.

The child’s recovery matters more than the details that make the case shocking. We are not showing graphic images, reproducing private family details or guessing about what happened inside the home. The sheriff’s description and medical update are the evidence we can currently report.

Go Deeper: The Timeline

On November 9, deputies responded to a report that the infant was missing. Comer was located that night, but the search continued. On November 10, rescuers located the baby and took him for treatment. On November 11, the Sheriff’s Department publicly described the additional charges and said the child was with relatives and expected to recover.

Those are different events on different days. The rescue was Tuesday; the public announcement of the attempted-murder charges was Wednesday. Earlier missing-child alerts may contain different information because they were issued before rescuers found him. Reading them as if they were today’s status would be misleading.

What Happens Next

Prosecutors must decide how to present the alleged crimes in court. The defense can challenge the charges and evidence. A reported bond hearing should not be confused with a finding of guilt or a trial verdict.

We will check official court and sheriff updates for the next confirmed proceeding and any change in the baby’s condition. Until then, the verified news is that he survived, left the hospital and his father is facing charges.