Lionel Ramirez Cervantes Death, Obituary: 8-year-old student was found dead in a neighborhood pond after running away from his classroom Thursday at an elementary school in South Carolina

At an elementary school in South Carolina on Thursday, an 8-year-old pupil ran away from his classroom and was discovered dead in a pond, according to authorities.

According to a statement from Greenville County Schools, Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was in a classroom with two other kids and three staff members when he fled out into the hallway, outside the building, over or through a fence, and into a field with high grass where he was no longer visible.

Police, administrators, and community members started searching as soon as they were notified. Authorities reported that Lionel’s body was discovered by divers in a neighborhood pond approximately 300 meters (1,000 feet) away from Bell’s Crossing Elementary in Simpsonville, four hours later.

At a press conference, Hobart Lewis, the sheriff for Greenville County, stated, “There are a lot of broken hearts in that school and community today.”

Deputies announced that the youngster may have autism or another developmental issue and might not respond to routine verbal cues before his body was discovered.

While staff members reacted swiftly and made an attempt to apprehend the child, deputies and school authorities are still looking into the specifics of what transpired and how the child left the premises.

“As a community, we are in deep grief as this was our worst worry for today. The loss of one of our children is unbearable. With the district’s backing, we will stick together,” Principal Chris Ross of Bell’s Crossing Elementary School said in a statement.

On Friday, the school stayed open and teachers and students were given access to grief counselors. The district added that it was offering Lionel’s family any assistance they required.

The boy was to have an autopsy on Friday.