8-year-old found dead in body of water after running away from school playground, deputies say

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said the search for a missing student who ran away from a school tragically ended. (Source: WHNS)
Published: Sep. 12, 2024 at 5:26 PM EDT|Updated: Sep. 12, 2024 at 9:29 PM EDT

SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) – An 8-year-old boy was found dead in a body of water after he ran away from school Thursday in South Carolina.

According to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was last seen on the playground at Bells Crossing Elementary School in Simpsonville around 11:10 a.m. on Thursday.

He reportedly ran away from the playground, which prompted a search by 50 to 100 deputies, along with K-9s and volunteers.

Deputies said they found Lionel’s body around 3 p.m. in a body of water a short distance from the school.

Deputies said Lionel had autism and was non-verbal.

Further information was not available.