SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. — An 8-year-old student was found dead in a pond after running away from his classroom Thursday at an elementary school in South Carolina, authorities said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was in a classroom with two other students and three school employees when he ran out into the hall, outside the building and then over or through a fence and into a field with high grass where he could no longer be seen, Greenville County Schools said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police were immediately called and officers, school officials and community members began searching. Divers found Lionel’s body about four hours later in a neighborhood pond about 1,000 feet (300 meters) from Bell’s Crossing Elementary in Simpsonville, authorities said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA lot of broken hearts in that school and community today,\u201d Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said at a news conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the boy’s body was found, deputies released information that he might have autism or another developmental disorder and may not respond to regular verbal prompts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deputies and school officials are investigating exactly what happened and how the child got off school grounds but emphasized staff members reacted quickly and tried to catch him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was our worst fear today, and we are grieving as a community. We are devastated to lose one of our children. We will bind together with the support of the district,\u201d Bell’s Crossing Elementary School Principal Chris Ross said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The school remained open Friday and grief counselors were brought in for students and teachers. The district also said it was providing whatever support Lionel’s family needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An autopsy Friday determined the boy drowned and called the death accicental, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n