Child Arrested in Death of 12-Year-Old Girl

A child has been taken into custody related to the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl, who was struck by a metal water bottle amid suspected bullying at school.

Kimberly Zabaleta Chuquipa experienced a brain hemorrhage, fell into a coma, and ultimately died following the incident on February 17. Her family mentioned that she stepped in to defend her sister during a confrontation at the Reseda school.

The loss prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to initiate a homicide investigation. On Thursday, it was revealed that an unnamed child has been arrested on murder charges.

Video footage from the incident captured students shoving and arguing just before the fatal confrontation, and this evidence has become central to the family’s wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The family claims that school officials were aware of the ongoing bullying associated with the incident but failed to take action, resulting in an unsafe environment leading to Kimberly’s death.

“While these arrests are a significant move toward accountability, the larger truth remains: This tragedy was entirely preventable,” stated Robert Glassman, an attorney for the family.

A spokesperson for LAUSD did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

People have expressed their grief and anger online, even starting a GoFundMe campaign to help support Kimberly’s family.

After the earlier attack, Chuquipa had been taken to Valley Presbyterian Hospital for evaluation and was later released. However, three days later, she collapsed at home and was rushed back to the hospital, where doctors found a “catastrophic” brain hemorrhage.

She underwent emergency brain surgery and was placed in a coma, but, tragically, she passed away on February 25 at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly’s mother, Elma Chuquipa, expressed her devastation, saying, “I am filled with pain knowing I will never see my daughter again.”