Attorneys representing the family of Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa, a 12-year-old student who died after being struck in the head by a metal water bottle during a bullying incident at Reseda Charter High School, held a press conference today announcing that they have taken formal legal action against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) on behalf of the family.
Khimberly’s mother and father, Elma Chuquipa Sanchez and Jesus Alfredo Zavaleta Tafur, as well as her sister, Sharon Zavaleta Chuquipa, filed government claims against LAUSD on Wednesday, March 11, alleging the school district failed to protect Khimberly despite repeated reports of bullying.
The claimants are represented by Robert Glassman and Matt Coe-Odess of Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP alongside co-counsel Carl Kremer and Brent Gerome of Moaddel Kremer & Gerome and Daniel Moaddel of Moaddel Law Firm, A.P.C.
According to the claim, on February 17, 2026, Khimberly was in a hallway at Reseda Charter High School when she was struck in the head with a metal water bottle during an on-campus bullying incident while attempting to defend her sister, Sharon, who was being bullied by a group of students. Khimberly was later transported to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, where she underwent emergency brain surgery and was placed in an induced coma. She tragically succumbed to her injuries.
The on-campus attack followed months of bullying, harassment, and physical aggression directed at both Khimberly and Sharon. Their mother repeatedly reported the incidents of abuse to school administrators, but the family says no meaningful action was taken.
“Schools have a legal responsibility to protect the children in their care,” said Robert Glassman. “When administrators are repeatedly warned that a child is being bullied and physically assaulted, they must take action. Tragically, in this case, that did not happen.”
The claim alleges LAUSD failed to investigate reported bullying, adequately supervise student interactions, discipline the alleged bullies, or implement effective safety measures despite prior reports of harassment. It further contends that unsafe conditions on campus—including obstructed visibility and inadequate monitoring—contributed to the circumstances that allowed the assault to occur. According to the filing, these failures constitute violations of multiple legal duties, including negligence resulting in wrongful death, negligent supervision, maintaining a dangerous condition of public property, and violations of California’s Safe Place to Learn Act and Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
The filing also highlights broader concerns about bullying across LAUSD schools. According to data cited in the claim, nearly one in three middle school students in the district report experiencing bullying or harassment, and more than 6,600 incidents of fights or physical aggression were reported during the 2023–2024 school year.
Khimberly is survived by her parents and sister. Her family remembers her as a caring and protective sister who stepped in to defend Sharon during the incident that ultimately claimed her life.
“This tragedy should never have happened,” Mr. Glassman said. “No family should lose a child because a school failed to protect them.”