Community Gathers to Support Family of Girl Tragically Lost to Bullying in Reseda
Funeral Scheduled for 12-Year-Old Victim of Alleged Bullying Incident
The family of Khimberly Zavaleta, a 12-year-old girl who tragically died following an alleged bullying incident, gathered for a heartfelt viewing on Tuesday in San Fernando Valley. Her funeral is set for Wednesday.
Khimberly passed away on February 25 after spending several days in a coma. According to her mother, Elma Chuquipa Sanchez, the young girl suffered a fatal head injury from a metal water bottle while attempting to protect her sister during an altercation at school.
Reflecting on her devastating loss, Sanchez expressed her struggle to accept her daughter’s death. "I never thought, I never expected my little girl to end up like this," she stated in an interview with Telemundo 52. "Sometimes I think that she’s coming back, that she’s at my sister’s house… But now, she’s in a coffin and I’m never going to see her again. I know she’s not coming back."
As family members reminisced about cherished moments spent with Khimberly, Sanchez emphasized her daughter’s joyfulness. "I want her to be remembered as a happy kid. She had so many dreams, and she loved to sing."
In the wake of this tragedy, Khimberly’s family has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), citing the district’s failure to protect students from bullying. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department has initiated a homicide investigation, although no arrests have been reported thus far.
As the community mourns, the impact of this incident continues to highlight the need for enhanced measures to safeguard students in schools.
