Schoolgirl, 12, dies after heartless bully threw water bottle at her head in hallway
A 12-year-old girl has died after being struck in the head with a metal water bottle in a hallway at her Los Angeles middle school, prompting authorities to launch a homicide investigation.
Khimberly Zavaleta was injured last week at Reseda High School, according to her family. She was initially taken to a local emergency room, treated, and released. Days later, however, she collapsed at home, television station KTLA reported.
After returning to the hospital, doctors determined Khimberly was suffering from a brain hemorrhage. She was transferred to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma and underwent emergency brain surgery. Despite efforts to save her, she died several days later.
“Major blood vessels in her brain ruptured, and she was rushed to UCLA Children’s Hospital, placed in an induced coma, and underwent complex emergency brain surgery,” her family wrote on a GoFundMe page. “Her family remained by her side, praying and hoping she would come home, but at 3:30 a.m., her heart gave out.”
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the incident as a homicide.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Khimberly was struck while attempting to shield her sister from a suspected bully.
“I’m devastated. I’m full of pain, thinking about how I will never see my daughter again,” her mother, Elma Chuquipa, told the station.
Students at the school gathered Friday to honor Khimberly, placing flowers at a memorial and calling for accountability following the incident.
“We’re all sad because she was the one who gave all the energy to us. She was always happy. She was always smiling,” her friend and classmate, Dayari Diaz, told NBC Los Angeles.
“We want justice for her,” Diaz added. “The school is not doing anything.”
The Los Angeles Unified School District said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened by the death.”
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and the entire school community,” the statement read. “Out of respect for the family and to protect confidentiality, we cannot share details.”
Family members described Khimberly as the “baby of our family,” saying she “brought a special light and joy into our lives.”
“She loved her family, music, volleyball, walks with her two beloved dogs, and had many dreams for the future,” the GoFundMe message said. “Her passing has left our family in unimaginable pain. No parents should ever have to endure the loss of their youngest child.”
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