Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has initiated a criminal investigation into serious allegations that staff at Centreville High School in Fairfax County facilitated abortions for students without parental consent, potentially misusing public funds in the process. The investigation was prompted by claims that school officials arranged and financed abortions for female students, including a 17-year-old, during 2021 without notifying their parents.
In a statement released on October 18, 2023, Governor Youngkin expressed his concern regarding the accusations, stating, “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.” He has directed the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation to commence a thorough investigation immediately.
The allegations have drawn significant attention and condemnation from various groups. The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) district has confirmed that it is cooperating with the investigation. In a previous statement, FCPS remarked, “At no time would the situation as described in these allegations from back in 2021 be acceptable in Fairfax County Public Schools.” They have announced the engagement of an external investigator to ascertain the facts and have emphasized their commitment to transparency in the matter.
In response to inquiries regarding whether staff had ever arranged abortions for students, FCPS indicated that they were unaware of such instances prior to the allegations. “Not to our knowledge. We have launched an immediate investigation into these concerns as soon as we were made aware,” the district stated in a communication to local media outlet WJLA.
The district’s policies emphasize the importance of parental involvement, stating that “every effort shall be made to encourage and support students suspecting pregnancy to discuss their concerns with their parents or guardians.” However, the existing guidelines do not explicitly require school employees to inform parents of discussions regarding pregnancy or abortion.
Pro-life organizations have voiced strong opposition to the alleged actions of the school staff. The group 40 Days for Life criticized the purported arrangements, asserting, “A Fairfax high school secretly arranged and paid for student abortions—without telling parents. This isn’t ‘healthcare.’ It’s state-funded child exploitation. Every official involved must be held accountable.”
As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these allegations could have lasting effects on policies regarding student healthcare and parental rights in educational institutions across Virginia. The outcome may also set precedents for how schools handle sensitive issues relating to student health and parental involvement in the future.
