Child Arrested in Connection with Death of 12-Year-Old Girl

A minor has been arrested on suspicion of murder related to the death of a 12-year-old girl who was defending her younger sister amid reported bullying at a school in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Police Department disclosed minimal details regarding the arrest, only confirming that the individual taken into custody is a juvenile. This information was reported by KCBS Television and KNBC TV.

“On February 17th, Kimberly was trying to protect her sister. When the school did not intervene, she did,” noted a family spokesperson.

The victim, identified as Kimberly Zabaleta Chuquipa, was struck in the head with a metal bottle while at Reseda Charter High School on that day, according to family reports through KCBS.

Following the incident, Kimberly was taken to the hospital where doctors diagnosed her with significant bleeding on the brain. Sadly, after being in a coma for several days and undergoing surgery, she passed away at the end of February, as her mother shared with KNBC.

The family has expressed their heartbreak, with Kimberly’s mother, Elma Chuquipa, saying, “I’m devastated. I’m filled with pain knowing I’ll never see my daughter again.”

In March, Kimberly’s family filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District, alleging it failed to protect its students from bullying and neglecting to act upon previous incidents involving Kimberly’s sister.

The family’s attorney, Robert Glassman, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This tragedy really highlights the very real and devastating consequences of unchecked bullying.” He further mentioned that Kimberly’s sister had faced bullying prior to the incident.

Attempts by the family to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the attack have reportedly been met with resistance from the school district. In a statement, the district expressed sorrow over the incident and reiterated its commitment to student safety.

As investigations continue, police confirmed that a murder investigation had been initiated after Kimberly’s death. The attorney remarked, “While this arrest is an important step toward accountability, the larger truth remains: This tragedy was completely preventable.”