Tragic Incident in Simpsonville: 8-Year-Old Found Dead

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Tragic Incident in Simpsonville: 8-Year-Old Found Dead

Simpsonville, S.C. – A heart-wrenching search ended in tragedy on Thursday when deputies discovered the body of an 8-year-old boy who had gone missing after running away from his school playground. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office reported that the boy, identified as Lionel Ramirez Cervantes, was last seen around 11:10 a.m. at Bells Crossing Elementary School.

According to authorities, Lionel ran off from the playground, prompting an extensive search involving between 50 to 100 deputies along with K-9 units and volunteers from the community. The search was launched immediately after Lionel was reported missing, as concerns grew about his well-being.

Tragically, his body was found in a body of water a short distance from the school, around 3 p.m. Deputies informed the public that Lionel had autism and was non-verbal, which added urgency to the search efforts throughout the day.

Details surrounding how Lionel ended up in the water are still unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Family members and community members are left in shock by this devastating loss, and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.

This incident has raised many questions and concerns about safety, especially for children with special needs, and the community is coming together to mourn the loss of a young life.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the sheriff’s office. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lionel during this difficult time.