SIMPSONVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said the search for a missing student who ran away from a Simpsonville school is now over.

Officials say 8-year-old Lionel Ramirez Cervantes was last seen on the playground at Bells Crossing Elementary School around 11:10 a.m. Thursday.

Officials later said Cervantes was found at 3 p.m. in a pond on Lenox Lake Drive, not far from the school.

According to the coroner, he was found in two meters of water, but there were no signs of serious injuries or anything else that would indicate a crime.

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The MPs said Cervantes was autistic and could not speak.

According to authorities, 50 to 100 officers and dog teams were busy searching the area.

During a press conference, Greenville County Sheriff Lewis said Cervantes ran out of the school and staff chased him, but he escaped. At this time, they do not know how or why he ended up at the pond.

Sheriff Lewis said there is currently no indication that charges will be filed.

Chris Ross, principal of Bells Crossing Elementary School, said the school is heartbroken to hear the end of the search for one of its students.

“We are devastated. We are devastated because we have lost one of our children,” Ross said. “We need to come together, come together with the support of the district counselors. We are here for the family first and foremost, for our students and our staff, because we are all grieving right now over this tragedy that we cannot comprehend.”

School officials said that although classes will be held on Friday, counselors will be on-site for students and staff.

Pastor Heindrich Shirley of Celebration Church in Simpsonville said they would open the facility for prayer for the congregation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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