U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has called for an investigation into allegations that officials at Centreville High School in Fairfax County arranged and paid for abortions for minor students without notifying their parents. According to reports, a school social worker allegedly pressured two students into having abortions and told one student she “had no other choice.”
There are also claims that taxpayer funds may have been used to pay for these procedures, which would violate federal law. As chairman of the HELP Committee, Cassidy is seeking answers to ensure that federal education funds were not misused.
“Let there be no mistake: a school official pressuring minor students to obtain covert abortions using school funding is illegal...,” wrote Dr. Cassidy. “If these reports are true, they represent a betrayal of Fairfax County parents and families and warrant comprehensive oversight by the HELP Committee to determine how this could have occurred and who must be held accountable.”
In his letter addressed to Dr. Reid of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Cassidy requested information regarding the allegations that Centreville High School staff arranged and paid for abortions without parental consent. He cited reports from August 5, 2025, indicating that a social worker at the school “arranged and bankrolled abortions at Fairfax Healthcare Center without so much as a phone call to [the girls’] parents.” One student underwent an abortion while another fled from the clinic after being pressured.
Both students allege that Carolina Diaz, the school social worker named in the report, pressured them into having abortions. The letter also notes accusations that FCPS failed to act on these allegations when notified multiple times since May 2022 by teacher Zenaida Perez, who claims she faced retaliation after reporting her concerns.
Cassidy highlighted that on August 13, 2025, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin directed state police to open a criminal investigation into these incidents. In his announcement, Youngkin said there was concern that local, state or federal funds may have been used for the procedures. FCPS reportedly receives about $50 million annually in federal aid. Federal law prohibits such funding from being used for abortion services.
The letter lists detailed questions regarding FCPS’s policies on reporting student pregnancies and parental notification requirements; whether any staff recommended or facilitated abortions; what actions were taken after initial reports; what funds were available to staff involved; and how FCPS ensures compliance with federal laws restricting use of education funds.
Cassidy asked FCPS officials to respond with documentation by October 6, 2025.
For more information about ongoing updates from HELP Republicans visit their website or Twitter account @GOPHELP.
