Greenville County Schools in South Carolina released the following statements on the news portion of the county’s homepage:
“Shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes left Bell’s Crossing Elementary. The student was in a classroom with two other students and three staff members. He ran from the classroom, and then the building, and multiple school staff members immediately pursued. He went up a hill, beyond a fence off campus, and into a field with very high grass. At that time, staff lost visibility of the student. The SRO immediately responded, and additional law enforcement was called to the school to expand the search. School staff, district employees and community members joined the search. Approximately four hours into the search, law enforcement recovered the child’s body from a pond on Lennox Lake Drive a short distance from the school.
In order to be able to support our students and staff, the school will be open to students and staff on Friday, and grief counselors will be available. We ask that no visitors or volunteers come into the building tomorrow so we can focus on supporting students and staff. We ask that parents only come to the front office if a specific need arises.
We want to thank Sheriff Hobart Lewis, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, the FBI, Foothills Search and Rescue, Mauldin Police Department, Simpsonville Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Fountain Inn Police Department, Simpsonville Fire Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for their response and support today.
Please understand that the safety of students is always our top priority. Appropriate GCS personnel, including staff at Bell’s Crossing Elementary, receive numerous trainings in the management of student behaviors, including specific training regarding elopement (a term which includes a number of behaviors such as running away).”
From Dr. Carolyn Styles, Board Chair, Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees:
“I am heartbroken over the tragic loss of this precious little boy. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I share our earnest prayers and deepest condolences with Lionel’s family, the Bell’s Crossing Elementary School family, and the entire Greenville County Schools community.”
From Dr. Burke Royster, Superintendent, Greenville County Schools:
“Words are not sufficient to describe this tragedy. Our hearts and prayers are with this family and school community. We appreciate the rapid response of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and emergency personnel. We deployed a number of district resources to aid in that search. Unfortunately, it came to a very tragic end. We’ll have counselors available for the students and staff at school.
District personnel will be here to step in for staff tomorrow who need time to speak with counselors and process this tragic situation. Anything that we can do to help them through this, we certainly stand ready to do so.”
From Chris Ross, Principal, Bell’s Crossing Elementary School:
“This 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. It’s a tragedy we can’t make sense over. We are of course supporting the student’s family in any way we can, along with our students and staff. Thank you for your support of one another during this incredibly difficult time.”