Full Breakdown
Lawsuit Filed After Death of Eight-Year-Old in Clark County School
3/10/2026, 4:46:16 AM
Incident Overview
A federal lawsuit has been filed by Amanda Corbala against the Clark County School District following the death of her eight-year-old son, Cruzito Ruiz, who died after choking on a piece of pineapple at Bass Elementary School. The incident occurred on February 25, 2025, during lunch when Cruzito began to choke and showed visible signs of distress. According to the complaint, despite his attempts to seek help, a school employee failed to provide assistance and instead directed him to the boys' bathroom.
Allegations of Negligence
The lawsuit alleges that the school employee, who was required to have CPR and AED training, did not assess Cruzito’s airway, alert the school nurse, or call for emergency help. Instead, Cruzito was sent away from adult supervision, which the complaint argues limited his access to timely emergency intervention. The complaint details that Cruzito attempted to signal for help by holding his hands to his mouth and showing distress, but was ultimately ignored until he was found unconscious by other students.
Medical Response and Consequences
When first responders arrived, they removed a large piece of pineapple from Cruzito’s airway. He was taken to a hospital where doctors diagnosed him with an anoxic brain injury due to cardiac arrest following the choking incident. Cruzito never regained consciousness and died on March 2, 2025. The lawsuit claims that he suffered extreme conscious pain and terror while alone in the restroom for several minutes before help arrived.
Official Statements & Responses
The Clark County School District has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, stating that it does not provide comments on pending lawsuits. The family’s attorneys have expressed their intent to hold the school district accountable for what they describe as a failure to properly train employees to respond to choking emergencies. They emphasize the need for justice for Cruzito and aim to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the school district's response have highlighted the importance of proper training for school staff in emergency situations. The lawsuit underscores a broader concern regarding the adequacy of safety protocols in schools, particularly in handling choking incidents. The family’s legal representatives have stated that they will pursue damages for civil rights violations and the loss of companionship.
Verbatim Quotes
“Attorneys representing Cruzito’s mother released the following statement to Channel 13: "Cruzito died at just 8 years old because a Clark County School District employee ordered him to go to the bathroom alone while he was choking at school.” — Farhan R. Naqvi, Esq.
“His mother, Amanda, has been devastated by the premature, unnecessary, and unnatural loss of her beloved son,” — Legal Complaint
What's Next
The lawsuit is currently in the early stages, and further developments are expected as the family seeks accountability from the Clark County School District. The case may prompt discussions on the need for improved training and emergency response protocols in schools to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
