A 12 year old arrested after classmate Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa dies from bullying at LA school. Tragic case raises questions on school safety and adult accountability.
A 12-year-old arrested in connection's with classmate's death (Image: Internet)
New Delhi: A 12 year old has been arrested in connection with the death of classmate Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa at a Los Angeles school, authorities said Friday. Khimberly also 12, was fatally injured after being struck in the head with a metal water bottle during a bullying incident in February.
The arrest comes as the 'Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office investigates, highlighting the concerns over school safety and how bullying cases are handled.
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The juvenile, whose age and gender have not been disclosed, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, Los Angeles Police Officer Charles Miller said. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office will handle any charges and the case remains under investigation. Because both the suspect and victim are minors, authorities are not releasing further details at this time.
According to Khimberly’s family, the 12 year old was struck in a school hallway on Feb. 17 while trying to help her older sister, Sharon, who was being bullied by a group of students at Reseda Charter High School, which includes a middle school program. Khimberly was first treated at Valley Presbyterian Hospital and released the same day.
Three days later, she was admitted to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma and underwent emergency brain surgery. She died on Feb. 25.
“This arrest is an important step toward accountability, but an arrest alone does not equal justice,” said Robert Glassman, the family’s attorney. He emphasized the need to examine how the school allowed the bullying to escalate.
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The family has filed a wrongful-death claim against the Los Angeles Unified School District, citing months of bullying and harassment that school officials failed to address. Glassman said that the family may also review the role of Valley Presbyterian Hospital but is currently focused on supporting each other and seeking accountability from the school district.
Tragic incidents involving bullying are not isolated. Last month, a 12 year old girl in Georgia, Jada West, died after a fight near a school bus stop, highlighting ongoing concerns about youth violence and school safety.
Glassman said the focus must extend beyond one student: “There must be a hard look at what the adults in charge knew, when they knew it, and why meaningful action wasn’t taken sooner.” The LAUSD declined to comment on ongoing litigation.
