Family of 12-Year-Old Girl Files Lawsuit Against L.A. School District After Bullying Death

Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa died after allegedly being struck in the head by a metal water bottle during a bullying incident at her school.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:20am

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The grieving family of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), alleging the district failed to protect the young girl from ongoing bullying that ultimately led to her tragic death. Khimberly died on February 25 after being hospitalized with severe brain trauma following an incident at her school where she was allegedly struck in the head by a metal water bottle during a confrontation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating consequences of school bullying and the need for stronger anti-bullying policies and intervention from school administrators. The family's lawsuit alleges that the LAUSD ignored repeated warnings about bullying on campus, allowing a dangerous environment to persist that ultimately cost a young girl her life.

The details

According to the family and their attorney, Khimberly stepped in to defend her older sister during a bullying incident at Reseda Charter High School in Los Angeles on February 17. During the confrontation, another student allegedly threw a metal water bottle, striking the 12-year-old in the head. The blow caused severe brain trauma, and Khimberly was hospitalized and later placed in a medically induced coma. Despite emergency surgery and days of treatment, the young girl died on February 25 at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. Her death has since been investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department as a homicide.

  • On February 17, Khimberly was allegedly struck in the head by a metal water bottle during a bullying incident at her school.
  • Khimberly was hospitalized and later placed in a medically induced coma after the incident.
  • Khimberly died on February 25 at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

The players

Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa

A 12-year-old girl who died after being struck in the head by a metal water bottle during a bullying incident at her school.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

The school district that the family has filed a lawsuit against, alleging it failed to protect Khimberly from ongoing bullying that led to her death.

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What they’re saying

“School administrators cannot let giant fights just erupt in the middle of the campus and not do anything about it. That is totally inexcusable and that is unfortunately what happened in this case.”

— Family Attorney

What’s next

The Los Angeles Police Department is continuing its homicide investigation into Khimberly's death, and the judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit against the LAUSD to proceed.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for schools to implement and enforce robust anti-bullying policies to protect vulnerable students. The family's lawsuit seeks justice for their daughter's death and aims to spur systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.