Missing 8-year-old found drowned after…
8-Year-Old Drowns After Leaving School Grounds
On September 12, 2024, 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes, a second grader at Bells Crossing Elementary in Simpsonville, South Carolina, drowned after running away from school. He was last seen around 11:10 a.m. near the playground. Despite being with staff and students, he managed to flee and could not be stopped.
Search Efforts and Tragic Discovery
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office launched an urgent search, using scent-tracking dogs and asking the public not to intervene. Residents were urged to check security footage and nearby properties. By mid-afternoon, authorities confirmed the worst: Lionel’s body had been found in a pond near Lenox Lake Drive, close to the school. Divers recovered his body shortly after 3:00 p.m.
Grieving Family Speaks Out
Victim coordinators were assigned to support Lionel’s family. His mother, Dalia Cervantes, a single mom of five, shared her heartbreak and blamed the school for failing to protect her son. “This could’ve been prevented,” she said, calling the tragedy a result of “negligence.” While expressing gratitude for the community’s help, she remained deeply frustrated.
Questions of Safety
The incident has left the community in shock and raised serious concerns about school safety and supervision. The sheriff’s office shared in the sorrow, stating they were “devastated by the outcome.” As investigations continue, many are demanding accountability and answers to how a young child was able to leave school unnoticed—and with such tragic consequences.
