Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has initiated a criminal investigation into allegations that staff at Centreville High School in Fairfax County arranged and funded abortions for students without parental consent. The inquiry follows claims that staff members facilitated and possibly financed abortions for minors, including a 17-year-old girl, during the year 2021.
In a statement on Wednesday, Youngkin expressed deep concern over the allegations, 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 launch a thorough criminal probe into the matter without delay.
The allegations have prompted a response from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), which confirmed that it is conducting its own investigation after becoming aware of the claims. “We have serious questions about these allegations that must be answered,” FCPS stated. They emphasized that such conduct would be unacceptable within their school system.
An external investigator has been engaged to uncover the facts surrounding these claims. The district declared, “We all deserve to know exactly what happened. We will take appropriate action as necessary.” In response to inquiries about whether any staff members had arranged abortions for students, FCPS previously indicated to WJLA that they were not aware of such incidents.
FCPS policy encourages discussions between students suspecting pregnancy and their parents or guardians. However, it does not explicitly require staff to inform parents about related conversations. This loophole has drawn criticism from pro-life advocates, who have condemned the purported arrangements as unethical. The organization 40 Days for Life commented on social media, stating, “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 repercussions of these allegations could have significant implications for the school district and its policies regarding student health services. The community is closely watching how both the state investigation and the internal review will progress, as the potential misuse of public funds and the violation of parental rights come under scrutiny.
The developments in Fairfax County reflect broader national debates surrounding reproductive rights, parental consent, and the responsibilities of educational institutions in healthcare-related matters. As the situation evolves, further updates are expected from both the Virginia State Police and FCPS.