“Every child in the classroom adored him,” Swails continued. “Gabriel was a good friend to everyone. He was impossible not to love.”
In her post, Swails expressed the deep bond she forms with her students each year, treating them as if they were her own children.
“I pour my heart into these kids, and losing one feels like losing a piece of myself,” she said. “I just wish I could hug all my students a little tighter right now.”
Friends and family have since placed flowers, teddy bears, and handwritten notes near the bus stop where Gabriel was last seen.
Community members have also started a memorial fund to assist Gabriel’s family with funeral expenses and to raise awareness about the dangers of sudden flooding.
Local officials have cautioned residents to remain vigilant during extreme weather, emphasizing that flash floods can occur without warning.
