Khimberly Zavaleta was a typical 12-year-old sixth grader living with her family in California. She loved music and volleyball and had big plans for her future. Yet her family claims that all came to a screeching halt because of a bully. Sadly, Khimberly died on February 25, 2026, 10 days after a bully allegedly threw a metal water bottle at her head at Reseda Charter High School. The Los Angeles Police Department opened a homicide investigation to determine what really happened.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the incident occurred on February 17. Khimberly reportedly stepped in to defend her sister against a bully and wound up being hit in the head with the bottle. The tween’s family took her to the emergency room due to a severe headache, but staff sent her home, KTLA reported. Tragically, things took a deadly turn days later.
Per a GoFundMe campaign, the tween had a “catastrophic medical emergency.” Doctors at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital put the 12-year-old in a medically induced coma and performed a complex surgery, but Khimberly died from her injuries.
A group of students held a protest at Reseda Charter High School in honor of Khimberly, KTLA reported.
“We’re all sad. Because she was the one who gave all the energy to us, because she was so happy. She was always happy. She was always smiling,” Khimberly’s friend, Dayari Diaz, told the news outlet.
Diaz said she wants the school to make changes. “We want justice for her,” she shared. “The school is not doing anything.”
KTLA shared a statement from the school district that tells a different story.
“The Los Angeles Unified School District is deeply saddened by the death of a Reseda High School student. Our thoughts and condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and the entire school community,” the district’s statement explains. “Out of respect for the family and to protect confidentiality, we cannot share details. The District remains committed to providing support to students, staff, and families affected by this loss, including counseling services and additional resources on campus. The District takes the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. We are currently cooperating with law enforcement in connection with this incident.”
Loved ones created the GoFundMe account to help support Khimberly’s family, and it’s raised more than $112,000 thus far.
“As the baby of our family, she brought a special light and joy into our lives. She loved her family, music, volleyball, walks with her two beloved dogs, and had many dreams for the future,’’ a message on the page reads. “Tragically, Khimberly’s life was cut short following a bullying incident at school, whereby another student threw a metal water bottle that struck her in the head.”
The LA Times reported that the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Bureau Section, is investigating Khimberly’s case as a homicide. Because of the ages of those involved, police have declined to provide details.
“Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation and the involved parties being juveniles, at this time, we are not releasing any further information related to the case,” the division shared in a statement.
Bullying is so out of control, and although we hope this was just an accident, a child died. Those metal water bottles we freely give our kids might have killed a little girl. It truly makes us take pause as moms. We can’t imagine either family’s grief.
