Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that he is directing the state police to investigate claims made that Fairfax County Public School staff were involved in underage students receiving abortions without parental consent in 2021.
The claims surfaced recently after a blog posted a handwritten note from one of the underage students, along with alleged interviews with an FCPS teacher on the record to support the claims.
The article claims that the abortions took place at Fairfax Healthcare Center, which does not exist. The picture that accompanies the story belongs to a Falls Church Healthcare Center, however.
The article also claims that the principal of a Fairfax County school was aware that a social worker was facilitating the abortions.
Fairfax Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a letter last week that the school division is hiring an outside investigator to look into the claims.
“I want to stress that at no time, would the situation as described in these allegations be acceptable in Fairfax County Public Schools,” Reid wrote in the email.
Youngkin said Wednesday that due to his concern about the accusations, he directed the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation to open an investigation immediately.
It is not strictly required for an underage girl to have parental consent to get an abortion; a judge can allow it to happen under certain circumstances.
FCPS told Virginia Scope that they are prepared to fully cooperate with the state police investigation, but did not provide further comment specific to the issue.
“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,” a FCPS spokesperson said by email.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, commented on the governor’s announcement in a statement to Virginia Scope.
“Fairfax County Police Department is one of the most professional police departments in the commonwealth,” Surovell said. “The governor should allow them to complete their investigation instead of involving the state police in this matter.”
Fairfax County Police Department told The Center Square that they were contacted by FCPS to notify them they were investigating, and that the school system would reach out to FCPD if needed.
FCPD did not immediately respond to Virginia Scope’s request for comment Wednesday.