GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC (WHNS/Gray News) – New details are emerging about how a young boy died after he ran away from school and drowned earlier this month.
Lionel “Leo” Cervantes, 8, was in a classroom at Bells Crossing Elementary School with two other students and three staff members on September 12 when he left the room and the building.
Officials said staff gave chase, but Leo eventually escaped.
According to the Greenville County Coroner, Leo’s body was found in six feet of water in a nearby pond.
The cause of Leo’s death was given as accidental drowning.
The autopsy report states that the second-grader was able to leave his classroom that day by breaking through a makeshift barrier at the door.
Greenville County School officials said the barrier is a room divider that is often used as an educational tool in special education classrooms.
“They can be used to minimize distractions, including looking at the door, which can be a distraction for some students. They can also be used to teach students how to cross the boundary using appropriate substitute behaviors; for example, asking for permission to go for a walk,” the school district said.
School officials explained that for fire safety reasons, the barriers are not allowed to be placed in front of the doors and are usually placed a little further away from the door.
According to the autopsy report, Leo ran through several hallways before making it outside that afternoon.
A school security official said four teachers ran after him and used their handheld radios to inform staff that they “had a runner.”
The report also said that the eight-year-old had previously run out of his classroom but had never managed to leave the school grounds.
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