Missing 8-year-old found drowned after running away from school

A second grader from South Carolina allegedly drowned in a pond near his school after going missing on September 12, 2024.

According to tragic reports, 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was a student at Bells Crossing Elementary School in Simpsonville. He had last been seen at the school around 11a.m. on September 12 before he vanished.

Sources claimed that the young boy ran from his classroom and the school itself. He had been with two other students and three staff members at the time – the staff members tried to give chase but lost track of him.

Ran from school

Greenville County Sheriff’s Office launched a search effort to find Lionel, but it’s since been reported that said effort ended in tragedy.

At 2:10 p.m., the department wrote: “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.”

Then, at 4:12 p.m., the sheriff’s office posted to report that Lionel’s body had been relocated.

“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,” read the post on Facebook.

“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.”

Shortly after word of his passing spread, Lionel’s mother, Dalia Cervantes – a single mom of five – shared her devastation 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.

Today(September 12, 2024) i received a call from Lionel school that he went missing. A few hours later he was found in a…

Posted by Dalia Cervantes on Thursday, September 12, 2024

“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.