A heartbroken mother in Nevada has initiated federal legal proceedings against a local school district, claiming that her eight-year-old son tragically died after a school employee failed to identify clear signs of choking and directed the child to use a bathroom alone instead of summoning emergency aid.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Cruzito Ruiz, a third-grade pupil at Bass Elementary School in Clark County, collapsed on school premises on February 25, 2025, after a piece of pineapple became lodged in his throat during lunchtime, as outlined in the complaint filed by his mother, Amanda Corbala, on March 3. The legal documents assert that Cruzito began choking in the cafeteria around 11:20 a.m., exhibiting visible distress signals while attempting to seek assistance.
Alleged Negligence by School Staff
According to the lawsuit, a school employee, who was mandated to possess CPR and AED training, neglected to examine the child's airway, notify the school nurse, or call for urgent medical help. Instead, the complaint alleges that Cruzito was instructed to proceed to the boys' bathroom. Several minutes later, fellow students discovered him unconscious on the bathroom floor, having "collapsed and turned blue" by the time other staff members were alerted.
Security camera footage referenced in the complaint depicts the boy slapping his own back and seeking help from a friend before approaching the school official. The filing states, "While consciously choking, Cruzito stood up and approached a school official ... signaling for help with his hands to his mouth and displaying obvious signs of physical distress." It was reportedly another student who finally drew the employee's attention, informing them that Cruzito felt unwell.
Legal Arguments and Consequences
The lawsuit contends that the employee's actions deprived Cruzito of "adult assistance, immediate supervision, and timely emergency intervention, including CPR and Heimlich maneuvers." Upon arrival, first responders extracted "a large piece of pineapple" from his airway using a finger sweep. Cruzito was transported to a hospital, where physicians diagnosed an anoxic brain injury resulting from cardiac arrest post-choking. He never regained consciousness and passed away on March 2, 2025.
The complaint emphasizes that Amanda Corbala has been "devastated by the premature, unnecessary, and unnatural loss of her beloved son," noting that he "suffered extreme conscious pain, terror, and air hunger" for about five minutes while isolated in the restroom. The mother is pursuing damages for alleged civil rights violations and loss of companionship, though no specific monetary amount is specified.
School District's Response
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the Clark County School District declined to discuss the matter, stating, "the district does not comment on pending litigation." The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding student safety protocols and staff responsiveness in educational settings.
