Family of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta files legal claim against LAUSD, alleges bullying

RESEDA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The family of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta has filed a claim against the Los Angeles Unified School District following her death after a fight at school, according to the family’s attorney.

According to the claim, the incident happened Feb. 17 at Reseda Charter High School, when Khimberly was defending her sister against a group of bullies. The family says she was struck in the head with a metal water bottle. The attorney for the family showed video of the incident, which he said had been uploaded to TikTok.

“Khimberly suffered a traumatic brain injury. She had a brain bleed. She was placed in a medically induced coma,” said Robert Glassman, partner at Panish, Shea, Ravipudi LLP.

Khimberly died from her injuries less than a week later, on Feb. 25.

Her parents said they had reported multiple incidents of bullying involving both Khimberly and her sister, Sharon, to the school weeks before the deadly incident.

In Spanish, Khimberly’s mother, Elma Chuquipa Sanchez, said the school claimed there was security and that children were being protected. She said there was no security for their family, adding that the tragic death has left them with broken souls and broken hearts.

LAUSD declined to comment directly on the claim. A spokesperson said the district does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation. In a previous statement, the district said it takes student safety seriously and is cooperating with law enforcement.

“This tragedy really highlights and underscores the very real and very devastating consequences to unchecked bullying,” Glassman said. “Bullying is a very, very serious problem at this school district. And it must come to an end.”

LAPD says this incident is being investigated as a homicide.