An 8-year-old boy tragically drowned after running away from his classroom at Bell’s Crossing Elementary School in Simpsonville, South Carolina, on Thursday, authorities confirmed.
Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was in a classroom with two other students and three school staff members when he suddenly ran out into the hallway, exited the building, and made his way over or through a fence into a field of tall grass, according to a statement from Greenville County Schools, WYFF reported.
He quickly disappeared from view. School staff immediately called the police, and officers, school personnel, and community members launched a search to find him. About four hours later, divers discovered Lionel’s body in a neighborhood pond, approximately 1,000 feet from the school.
“A lot of broken hearts in that school and community today,” said Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis during a news conference. Before the tragic discovery, deputies released information indicating that Lionel might have had autism or another developmental disorder and may not have responded to standard verbal prompts.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding how Lionel managed to leave the school grounds. They emphasized, however, that school staff acted quickly and tried to stop him. “This was our worst fear today, and we are grieving as a community. We are devastated to lose one of our children. We will bind together with the support of the district,” said Bell’s Crossing Elementary Principal Chris Ross in a heartfelt statement.
The school remained open on Friday, and grief counselors were brought in to support both students and teachers. The district has also committed to providing support to Lionel’s family during this difficult time. An autopsy conducted on Friday determined that Lionel’s death was accidental, with drowning as the cause, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.