Missing 8 year old found drowned after running away from school
An 8-year-old boy from South Carolina reportedly drowned in a pond close to his school after he went missing on September 12, 2024.
Reports indicate that Lionel Ramirez Cervantes, a pupil at Bells Crossing Elementary School in Simpsonville, was last observed at the school around 11a.m. on September 12 before his disappearance.
According to sources, the child fled from his classroom and the school building. He had been accompanied by two fellow students and three staff members at the time – the employees attempted to pursue him but eventually lost sight of him.
Escaped from school
Greenville County Sheriff's Office initiated a search operation to locate Lionel, but reports state the effort concluded with a tragic outcome.
At 2:10 p.m., the department stated: "Lionel is still missing. While we are continuing our search efforts, we ask that community members who are asking to help in the search not get out of their vehicles to begin searching 'on foot,' as we do have dogs on the ground who operate off a scent. The biggest ask is for people to check their property and camera systems to see if they had any activity on them that might have captured Lionel's movements."
Later, at 4:12 p.m., the sheriff's office announced that Lionel's body had been found.
"The GCSO is heartbroken to report that 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes, who ran off from Bells Crossing Elementary School, has been located in a body of water off Lenox Lake Drive, a short distance from the school. Lionel reportedly left out of the school and was last seen near the playground around 11:10 a.m," stated the Facebook post.
"Deputies responded to initiate search and rescue efforts and conducted those the entire day. Shortly after 3:00 pm Lionel's body was found by dive team members in a body of water off Lenox Lake Drive. The GCSO has victim coordinators on site to help the family through this devastating occurrence. Our thoughts are prayers are with the family at this time."
After news of his death circulated, Lionel's mother, Dalia Cervantes – a single parent with five children – expressed her grief on social media.
"Today i received a call from Lionel school that he went missing. A few hours later he was found in a nearby creek. I know he is now in a better place, and with his dad. But my boy did not have to loose his life this way," she wrote on Facebook.
"Negligence caused his death. Now i am left without my Leo. I do want to Thank everybody who has taken their time to send me and my kids condolences and support. I saw the video and it does not justify their actions."
Rest in peace, Lionel Ramirez Cervantes.
