Choking Boy Sent to Restroom, Dies; Lawsuit Filed

A civil complaint was filed against the Clark County School District and special education aide Teresa Holve, following the February 25, 2025, death of eight-year-old Cruzito Ruiz. Ruiz, who had significant disabilities, was in the school cafeteria when he began choking on pineapple. Surveillance footage and the complaint indicate he approached Holve with clear signs of distress, but she allegedly directed him to the restroom. Ruiz collapsed there, and staff were alerted by other students about five minutes later. Emergency services arrived 15 minutes after Holve directed Ruiz out of the cafeteria and successfully removed the obstruction, but Ruiz had already suffered a fatal anoxic brain injury.

The lawsuit accuses Holve of providing conflicting accounts of the incident and claims she possessed CPR training she did not utilize. It further alleges the school district endangered Ruiz and failed to adequately train its staff for medical emergencies. Attorneys for the mother contend that had Ruiz remained in the supervised cafeteria, his chances of survival would have been significantly higher. The school district and aide have been contacted for comment.