Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Aug. 13 that he has directed state police to open a full criminal investigation into allegations that officials at a Fairfax County high school facilitated abortions for minor students.
“I am deeply concerned with the allegations that Fairfax County Public Schools officials arranged for minors to get abortions without parental consent and may have misused public funds to pay for them,” Youngkin, a Republican, stated in a news release. “I am directing the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation to open a full criminal investigation into the matter immediately.”
Zeale reported last week that a W.C. Dispatch Substack article claimed a school social worker booked and paid for an abortion appointment for a minor student without notifying the girl’s parents, a violation of Virginia law. The same social worker allegedly attempted to coerce a second student into having an abortion. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has launched its own investigation into the allegations.
Zeale also reported that Zenaida Perez, a teacher at the high school, was informed of the incidents and allegedly has attempted several times since 2022 to bring the allegations to the attention of school officials. However, she says that the school district leadership brushed her off and retaliated against her for her repeated claims.
In an Aug. 7 letter to staff and families, FCPS claimed that it learned of the abortion allegations only a few days earlier. The school district also stressed that “at no time, would the situation as described in these allegations be acceptable in Fairfax County Public Schools.”
Youngkin’s office has asked those with information related to the allegations to contact the Virginia State Police.
In an emailed statement to Zeale, FCPS said that it is “prepared to fully cooperate in the state police investigation into these 2021 allegations.”
“As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we are unable to comment further at this time,” the school district continued. “We remain focused on preparations for the start of the school year — with a focus on academic excellence and opportunity for each and every student in a safe and welcoming environment.”