The body of a boy who disappeared from a South Carolina elementary school was found in a body of water just hours after he went missing.
Lionel Ramirez Cervantes, 8, had run away from school officials at Bell’s Crossing Elementary School in Simpsonville on Thursday morning.
Cervantes, who the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said was autistic and somewhat nonverbal, was last seen near the school’s playground.
The staff chased the young man, but he jumped over a fence and managed to disappear before they could reach him.
Following her disappearance, authorities searched the local area before a diving team discovered her body a short distance from the school in a pond.
Cervantes, who the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said was autistic and somewhat nonverbal, was last seen near the school’s playground.
Bell’s Crossing Elementary School staff chased the boy, but he jumped a fence and disappeared before they could catch him.
Authorities released a surveillance photo of Cervantes to aid searchers, taken this morning, showing the clothing he was wearing.
In a post on social media, the local sheriff’s office announced that they had found her body.
They said: ‘GCSO is heartbroken to report that 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes, who ran away from Bells Crossing Elementary School, was located in a body of water near Lenox Lake Drive, a short distance from the school.
‘Lionel reportedly left school and was last seen near the playground around 11:10 a.m.
Officers responded to begin search and rescue efforts and conducted them throughout the day.
‘Shortly after 3:00 p.m., Lionel’s body was found by dive team members in a body of water near Lenox Lake Drive.’
Sheriff Hobart Lewis said at a news conference: “This is a really terrible situation, to be honest. At some point, we don’t know how or why, he ended up in that pond.
“There are a lot of broken hearts at the school and in this community today, and we want to thank the community that came out to find this young man.”
Following her disappearance, authorities searched the local area before a diving team discovered her body a short distance from the school in a pond, seen here.
Authorities had released a surveillance photo of Cervantes to aid searchers, taken earlier this morning, showing the clothing he was wearing.
Greenville County Schools Superintendent W. Burke Royster added: ‘Words are not enough to describe this tragedy.
“Our hearts and our prayers are with this family, with this community, with this school community.”
Since it was announced that the young man had passed away, social media users have offered prayers for the family.
One person posted: “This is very painful for everyone involved. We are praying for his family and the school.”
Another added: “This breaks my heart! I’m praying for this family and everyone involved.”