Body of missing 8-year-old who ran away from school found in pond

SIMPSONVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said the search for a missing student who escaped from a school has come to a tragic end.

Officials say 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was last seen on the playground at Bells Crossing Elementary School around 11:10 a.m. Thursday.

The MPs said Cervantes was autistic and could not speak.

Greenville County Schools officials said Cervantes was in a classroom with two other students and three staff members when he ran out of the room and then out of the building.

Outside, several staff members began chasing him. Cervantes ran up a hill, over a fence outside of campus and into a field with very tall grass, and staff members lost sight of him, officials said.

At this point, the school liaison officer responded and police were called to assist in the search.

About four hours later, at 3 p.m., Cervantes’ body was found in a pond on Lenox Lake Drive, not far from the school.

According to the coroner, he was found in two meters of water, but there were no signs of serious injuries or anything else that would indicate a crime.

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According to authorities, 50 to 100 officers and dog teams were busy searching the area.

During a press conference, Greenville County Sheriff Lewis said Cervantes ran out of the school and staff chased him, but he escaped. At this time, they do not know how or why he ended up at the pond.

Sheriff Lewis said there is currently no indication that charges will be filed.

Chris Ross, principal of Bells Crossing Elementary School, said the school is heartbroken to hear the end of the search for one of its students.

“We are devastated. We are devastated because we have lost one of our children,” Ross said. “We need to come together, come together with the support of the district counselors. We are here for the family first and foremost, for our students and our staff, because we are all grieving right now over this tragedy that we cannot comprehend.”

On Thursday, Pastor Heindrich Shirley of Celebration Church in Simpsonville opened the church for prayer from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

School officials said that while classes will be in session Friday, counselors will be on-site for students and staff. They also ask that no visitors or volunteers come into the building on Friday so they can focus on supporting students and staff.

The schools said they were heartbroken that the search for Cervantes had ended.

“I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of this precious little boy. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our sincere prayers and deepest condolences to Lionel’s family, the Bell’s Crossing Elementary School family, and the entire Greenville County Schools community.”

The district said counselors will be on site for students and staff. They are also asking that no visitors or volunteers come into the building on Friday so they can focus on supporting students and staff.

“Words are inadequate to describe this tragedy. Our condolences and prayers are with this family and the school community. We thank the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and emergency responders for their quick response. We deployed a number of county resources to assist in the search. Unfortunately, the search ended very tragically. We will have counselors available for the students and staff at the school.

District staff will be here tomorrow to fill in for employees who need time to speak with counselors and process this tragic situation. We are certainly prepared to do whatever we can to help them through this.”

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