8-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Neighborhood Pond After Running Away from School

An 8-year-old student named Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was discovered dead in a pond after fleeing from his classroom at an elementary school in South Carolina. The incident occurred at Bell’s Crossing Elementary in Simpsonville. The boy was in a classroom with two other students and three school employees when he ran off the school grounds through a fence into a field with tall grass where he disappeared. Greenville County Schools provided details about the event in a statement.
Authorities were notified immediately, prompting a search operation involving police, school officials, and community members. After about four hours, divers located Lionel’s body in a neighborhood pond approximately 1,000 feet away from the school. Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis expressed sadness during a news conference, mentioning the impact on the school and local community.
Before discovering the boy’s body, it was communicated that he may have had autism or another developmental disorder and might not respond to standard verbal cues. Both deputies and school officials are working together to understand the sequence of events leading up to the incident and how the child was able to leave the school premises. Despite the tragic outcome, authorities highlighted the swift response and efforts made by staff members to try and prevent the situation.
Bell’s Crossing Elementary School Principal Chris Ross expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Lionel in a statement, emphasizing the sense of community grief and pledging support from the district. The school remained open the following day, with grief counselors available for students and teachers. The district also assured that Lionel’s family would receive necessary assistance. An autopsy for the boy was scheduled for the subsequent day.