Alleged bullying attack leaves 12-year-old girl dead after defending sister, mom says

A 12-year-old Southern California girl has died days after she was struck in the head during what her family says was a bullying incident at school, prompting a homicide investigation and renewed concerns about student safety and pediatric head trauma protocols.

Khimberly Zavaleta, a student at Reseda High School in Los Angeles, was injured in a hallway altercation during school dismissal, according to her family. They allege another student threw a metal water bottle that hit her in the head.