Tragic Incident in Simpsonville: 8-Year-Old Boy Found Dead
Simpsonville, S.C. – A tragic event has shaken the community as an 8-year-old boy was found dead in a local pond after he ran away from his classroom at Bell’s Crossing Elementary School. The child, identified as Lionel Ramirez Cervantes, was reported missing on Thursday, and his body was discovered approximately four hours later.
According to Greenville County Schools, Lionel was in a classroom with a few other students and several school staff when he suddenly left the room. He made his way through a hallway, exited the building, and climbed over or through a fence into a tall grass field where he vanished from sight.
Immediately after he was reported missing, police were called, and a search operation began involving officers, school personnel, and members of the local community. Sadly, divers located Lionel’s body in a nearby pond, which is around 1,000 feet from the school.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis expressed the community’s grief at a press conference, saying, “A lot of broken hearts in that school and community today.” Before Lionel’s body was found, authorities mentioned he might have autism or another developmental disorder, which could have affected how he understood verbal instructions.
Both deputies and school officials are currently looking into the events that led to Lionel leaving school grounds. Further statements from officials emphasized that staff acted swiftly in trying to locate the child.
Chris Ross, the principal of Bell’s Crossing Elementary, stated, “This was our worst fear today, and we are grieving as a community. We are devastated to lose one of our children.” As a response to the tragedy, the school remains open with grief counselors available to support students and staff members.
The school district also pledged to offer assistance to Lionel’s family during this heartbreaking time. An autopsy conducted later revealed that the boy drowned, which has been ruled as an accidental death by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
This unfortunate incident has left the community of Simpsonville reeling, as they come together to support one another in the wake of such a profound loss.
