Tragic Outcome for Los Angeles High School Student [Los Angeles, CA]

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 28, 2024) — A 16-year-old girl, Shaylee Mejia, has died following a distressing incident at Manual Arts High School in South Los Angeles, highlighting concerns around student safety. 

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office declared the death on March 15 as accidental, caused by blunt head trauma after a fight that occurred on March 5.

The altercation, captured on a cellphone, shows Shaylee striking her head against a bathroom stall, leading to a fatal injury. Despite experiencing headaches, Shaylee continued her school attendance until she collapsed at a party and was subsequently hospitalized, never to regain consciousness.

Maria Juarez, Shaylee’s mother, has pointed to bullying and previous physical confrontations as contributing factors, criticizing the school’s response to her concerns. The Los Angeles Unified School District has yet to make a statement regarding the incident.

As the investigation into the Manual Arts high school accident unfolds, Shaylee’s family, represented by legal counsel, is contemplating action against those they hold responsible for her untimely death. This case raises critical questions about the efficacy of school policies in preventing and responding to violence among students.