High School Abortion Coverup? Read the Tick-Tock.
Superintendent claims the school district just learned of allegations last week of a social worker funding abortions. Teacher today told a school said she warned the school district seven times.
There is an important story happening in Fairfax County, Va., about a school system’s social worker who allegedly arranged and financed an abortion by a 17-year-old girl without her legal guardian’s consent or knowledge. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has told the Virginia State Police to conduct a criminal investigation.
If you have any tips about minors getting abortions without parental or guardian knowledge, please contact me at asra@asranomani.com
Here is what I reported on Monday in an article at Fox News:
Public school teacher reveals years-long effort to expose alleged student abortion scandal
Zenaida Perez claims she warned Fairfax County school officials seven times about social worker allegedly facilitating student abortion
Please read the story at this link.
As part of our work at the Pearl Project, a nonprofit journalism initiative dedicated to reporting in the public interest, we are publicly providing documentation in this case so other journalists, investigators and the public can see the evidence themselves. If you seek additional information or have a tip, please contact me at asra@asranomani.com.
I am uploading documents for public use, media reporting and investigative research in a folder on DocumentCloud at this link and sharing the links in this timeline, which I will keep updating.
Here is the summary timeline with links to the evidence. Below is a fuller chronology of events. I call this my Tick-Tock, something I do for every story I report. Contact me if you want unredacted content.
You can use the photos, videos and documents provided here. Please credit the Pearl Project. This is the spirit of Danny Pearl expressed.
Seven Warnings: May 2022 – May 2025
May 5, 2022 – In a meeting with principal Chad Lehman and an assistant principal, teacher Zenaida Perez alleged Carolina Diaz arranged and paid for 17-year-old’s abortion. Documentation of meeting in May 13, 2022, follow-up letter from Perez to Lehman (see below).
May 13, 2022 – Perez sent Lehman a follow-up email with details of the alleged abortion. Here is a link to the email on DocumentCloud. Full text of email below.
November 2022 – Meeting with Lehman; recorded conversation about “concerning” abortion allegations. Here is an audio from that meeting with the name of the alleged young victim deleted.
Around this time, the alleged victim provided Ms. Perez a statement about the alleged abortion (full text below).
Nov. 22, 2022 – Resent May email to Lehman.
Jan. 16, 2025 – Raised concerns again to new principal Erik Healey; alleged bullying followed. Forwarded Healey an email she had sent to journalist Luke Rosiak about the retaliation she her concerns on an abortion coverup from 2022. She said she had “hard evidence about Mr. Lehman covering up an illegal abortion facilitated by Carolina Diaz, the school Social Worker.”
March 7, 2025 – Perez told an attorney for Fairfax County Public Schools — McGuireWoods attorney Heidi Siegmund — about the abortion allegations. Full text below.
May 2, 2025 – Perez reported allegations about the 2021 abortion; submitted to school district investigator James Mackie.
Who’s Who
Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Michelle Reid, Superintendent: Said she Fairfax County Public Schools just learned about the allegations of an abortion coverup on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Issued a letter to Centreville High School parents on Aug. 7, saying she had engaged an independent investigator on the issue.
Centreville High School, Union Mill Road, Clifton, Va.
Chad Lehman: Former principal, promoted after the incidents. According to his official school district bio, he was principal at Centreville High School from 2018 through late 2024, when he was promoted to be executive principal for the school district’s Region 5.
Erik Healey, new principal at Centreville High School, starting in late 2024. Erik Healey: New principal at Centreville High School starting in late 2024, allegedly continues the pattern of targeting Zenaida.
Montel D. Brown: Assistant principal, allegedly involved in harassment.
Carolina Diaz: Centreville High School social worker alleged to have arranged abortions.
Students, former students and family:
Student 1 — Pseudonym: Marie — In spring 2022, Centreville principal Lehman alleged that Perez gave her a pregnancy test but Perez denied that she had ever done that. She is from El Salvador.
Student 2 — Pseudonym: Patrice — In spring 2022, told Perez that she had an abortion in November 2021 arranged and paid for by Centreville High School social worker Caroline Diaz. She is from Guatemala.
Student 2 Uncle — Pseudonym Carlos — Told Perez he wasn’t informed about his niece’s abortion.
Student 2 Boyfriend — Allegedly drove the student to her abortion in Fairfax County, Va.
Student 3 — Pseudonym: Helena — Told Perez that Diaz offered to help her get an abortion in the 2024-2025 school district; refused the abortion. She is from Guatemala.
Chronology of Events
Chronology of Allegations of Abortions and Workplace Harassment
November 2021
A student allegedly had an abortion arranged by social worker Carolina Diaz at a clinic in Falls Church, Virginia. The abortion is allegedly paid for by Diaz; her legal guardian is unaware.
The student’s boyfriend, an adult, allegedly drives her to the clinic. The student later confides in Zenaida Perez about the abortion.
Spring 2022
A student approached Zenaida Perez, concerned she might be pregnant. She said social worker Carolina Diaz sent her to get a pregnancy test from a teacher or friend, which Zenaida suspected was a setup.
The principal, Chad Lehman, later accused Perez of giving the student a pregnancy test, which she denies.
Late November 2022
Zenaida Perez and teacher Julie Perry have their first conversation about the abortion allegations, standing in the hallway across from room 234A at Centreville High School.
Perez confided in Perry because she needed someone trustworthy and connected.
Late 2022 - Early 2023
Perez attempted to find the student who had the abortion and her uncle, but they are believed to have been deported.
Late 2024
The situation is quiet until a new principal, Erik Healy, arrived in late 2024. Zenaida Perez is increasingly targeted by administration for trivial reasons, believed to be retaliation.
March-May 2025
A student comes came forward, revealing she was offered an abortion at five months pregnant by the same social worker, Carolina Diaz. She refused and wrote a letter about her experience.
Perez reported this to an HR investigator and an attorney representing the school board, but no action was taken.
Ongoing Harassment and Retaliation (2022-2025)
Perez was allegedly repeatedly written up by administrators (Montel D. Brown, Erik Healy, others) for alleged infractions, including being accused of giving pregnancy tests, giving students rides, and being unprofessional.
Students were sent to her under suspicious circumstances, seemingly to entrap her.
Perez was suspended without pay for one day in May 2025 and was called to meetings during vacation.
Perez received emails from the Office of Employee Relations stating that investigations found no wrongdoing by administrators.
CHRONOLOGY WITH DOCUMENTATION
Nov. 2021: Alleged abortion occurred
May 13, 2022
On May 13, 2022, Perez sent an email to George Michael Parker, an assistant principal at Centerville High School, and Chad Lehman, the principal, about her
Friday, May 13, 2022
From: Zenaida D. Perez
Employee ID #: 189070
To: Mr. George Michael Parker Assistant Principal Centreville High School
Cc: Mr. Chad Lehman, Principal Centreville High School.
Subject: Summary Memo, Rebuttal to Meeting#1 on Thursday, May 5th, 2022
On Thursday, May 5th, 2022, I attended a meeting with Mr. Parker and Ms. Wenzel, both Assistant Principals from Centreville High School.
Mr. Parker states that one of my students brought to his attention that I purchased two pregnancy tests for herand that one staff member from our school confirmed it.
I have evidence that the staff member is providing false allegations. I have text messages that show a conversation with that staff member, and I never mentioned to her neither on text nor verbally, on a face-to-face conversation, that I purchased pregnancy tests for that student.
When the student came to me crying on Monday. May 2nd, 2022, and confided in me that she was afraid because she might be pregnant, l asked her if she had reached out to the Social Worker, and she responded "YES" and added that the Social Worker had suggested to her to ask a teacher or a friend for a pregnancy test. I found that statement very strange because I knew, from previous meetings and information from other students, that the Social Worker has provided pregnancy tests and even further support to other students who have had pregnancy situations. I have the name and evidence of another student who was helped by the social worker to solve the pregnancy issue.
I have kept absolute confidentiality about this situation, but the student involved in this incident has been pulled out of her classes several times, so other students and classmates have been inquiring with her about the reasons why all this is happening, and she has shared details about what's going on.
She has been removed from my English 9 class and that is unacceptable, because she is an outstanding student and I know that she has been pressured to say that I purchased the pregnancy tests, although she knows that it's untrue.
Fortunately, this morning I received a written statement from her guardian in which she states that her niece confessed to her that I never bought a pregnancy test for her, and she demands to respect her privacy and put an end to this situation.
As an outstanding and dedicated educator, I've always maintained excellent conduct and work ethics.
I would always refute any kind of unfair and unethical handling of issues. My role as a teacher has always been clear to me as well as my rights to protect the students and myself.
May 16, 2022
Perez met with Lehman about the allegations that she had provided a pregnancy test to a student.
Nov. 19, 2022
Sabado Novembre 19 2022
Mi nombre es
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Estudio en la escuela Centreville High School. Estoy en ESOL en el grado 11 actualmente.El ano pasado yo fui a ver a la Trabajadora Social Carolina Diaz. Ella me ayudo con la interrupción de embarazo, o sea, un aborto. La señora Carolina Diaz me proporcionó la cita con la clínica de abortos en Fairfax. Ella pago por los gastos de ese procediimeinto medico y mantuvo silencio sin dejarle saber a mi familia. Yo tenia que mi familia reaccionaria muy mal si sabias sobre mi embarazo y acerca del aborto.
Cuando el eaborto fue realizado, yo solamente tenia 17 anos. Mi fecha de nacimiento es Octobre 30 del 2004. y el aborto fue hecho en la fecha Noviembre 2021
Translation:
Saturday November 19 2022
My name is
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. at the school Centerville High School. I attend Centreville High School. I am currently in ESOL in 11th grade.Last year, I went to see Social Worker Carolina Diaz. She helped me with a pregnancy termination, or abortion. Ms. Carolina Diaz made the appointment for me at the abortion clinic in Fairfax. She paid for the procedure and kept quiet about it, not letting my family know. I was worried that my family would react very badly if they knew about my pregnancy and the abortion.
When the abortion was performed, I was only 17 years old. My date of birth is October 30, 2004, and the abortion was performed in November 2021.
Nov. 22, 2022
On Nov. 22, 2022, Perez reminded Lehman she had warned him about the social worker’s alleged “wrongdoings.”
From: Perez, Zenaida <zdperez@fcps.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2022 1:00 PM
To: Lehman, Chad R. <CRLehman@fcps.edu>
Subject: FW: Summary Memo - Rebuttal
Hello Mr. Lehman,
With all due respect, but since you do not have any recollection about the statement from my rebuttal in reference te Mrs. Diaz's wrongdoings, here I am forwarding to you my first rebuttal document sent to Mr. Parker, and you were cc'd on Friday, May 13th 2022. Please read the highlighted portion at the end of the 4th paragraph.
Respectfully,
Zenaida Perez
Jan. 16, 2025: Perez sent an email
She forwarded an email she sent to journalist Luke Rosiak, saying: “The perpetrators have been using the same pattern of harassment, bullying and retaliation against me since 2022 because | have hard evidence about Mr. Lehman covering up an illegal abortion facilitated by Carolina Diaz, the school Social Worker.”
March 19, 2025
Perez said:
In this picture you can see that Heidi acknowledged our conversation and assures me that she would share my concerns with Ellen Kennedy, FCPS main counsel.
This is the email that provides info about me being a witness for the outside investigators Heidi Siegmund and Daniel Masakayan and I gave them statement about Lehman and Carolina's involvement in the abortions.
I was speaking to McGuire Woods as a witness for Julie's case on Zoom interview on Friday March 7th 2025.
I revealed to them Lehman's corruption and his cover up to the abortion in 2021-22
Heidi Siegmund told Perez that she was hired by Ellen Kennedy and Ellen Kennedy was the one who contacted me to arrange the interview.
Siegmund responded that “we represent the school board” and couldn’t address her legal issues but would forward them to the “Division Counsel’s office,” run by chief in-house counsel John Foster.
May 2025
Original writing
Hola miss Perez
05/22/25
El motivo de esta carta es porque me entere. atraves de alumnos de la escuela Centreville High Shool que los principales estan ciendo muy injustos con usted por varios motivos uno de los motivos por quere ayudar a una alumna
Con una prueva de embarazo, no veo lo malo de querer ayudar con una prueva de embarazo, no veo lo malo de querer ayudar con una prueba de embbarazo lo que si esta mal, es ofrecerle a las alumnas embarazadas la primera opcion del aborta erso si está mal cuando son menores de edad.
haci como ami la enferme de la escuela me dio esa opcion de abortar esta mal, no tienen que ser injustos con una buena maestra que lo unico que nace és apoyar a sus alumnos.
le mando esta carta
Dandole animos y fuerzas usted a sido una de las maestras que me a ayudado y aconsejado bien, que los principales esten queriendo Perjudicarla, por razones tan injustast, deverian estar detras le las trabajadoras que les hablan del aborto a las niñas eso si para me esta mal.
la quiero mucho
animos que Dios
la bendiga
AAtt:
Para
Miss. perez.
Hello, Miss Perez
05/22/25
The reason for this letter is because I learned from students at Centreville High School that the principals are being very unfair to you for several reasons, one of the reasons being because you wanted to help a student with a pregnancy test.
I don't see anything wrong with wanting to help with a pregnancy test. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to help with a pregnancy test. What is wrong is offering pregnant students the first option of abortion, even though it's wrong when they're minors.
Just like the school nurse gave me that option of abortion, it's wrong. You don't have to be unfair to a good teacher whose only goal is to support her students.
I'm sending you this letter.
Giving you encouragement and strength, you've been one of the teachers who has helped me and advised me well. The principals are trying to harm you for such unjust reasons. The workers who talk to girls about abortion should be behind it. That's wrong for me.
I love you very much.
Cheer up, may God
bless you.
AAtt:
To
Miss. Perez.
May 2, 2025: Tells FCPS
In an audio of a May 2, 2025, meeting with FCPS investigator James Mackie, Perez repeated her allegations. Link to audio: https://www.wcdispatch.com/p/may-meetings-and-august-lies
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2024
Perez went public with her allegations of an abortion coverup at Centreville High School.
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2024, 4:16 PM
7 News reported:
On Wednesday, 7News reached out to FCPS about these claims.
FCPS said, “We learned yesterday of these concerning allegations from 2021. We are launching an immediate and comprehensive investigation as we take all concerns of student wellbeing very seriously.”
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025: Superintendent said she just learned of the allegations
From: Fairfax County Public Schools <e-Notify@fcps.edu>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 6:37 PM
Subject: Message from the Superintendent to Centreville High School Staff and Families
August 7, 2025
Dear Centreville High School Staff and Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying the last few days of the summer break before we return to school on August 18, renewed and full of energy for the upcoming school year. I look forward to seeing and hearing the halls filled with our amazing students and staff once again.
I am writing today to address the concerning allegations from 2021 that we learned about earlier this week and are being reported on the news. These reports claim that a staff member facilitated an abortion for a student in 2021.
I want to stress that at no time, would the situation as described in these allegations be acceptable in Fairfax County Public Schools.
We all have serious questions about these allegations that must be answered. We all deserve to know what happened, and at my direction, the division has taken immediate action to engage an external independent investigator to get all the facts. We will see this investigation through with the utmost seriousness, taking swift and appropriate action once we have the facts. It is my commitment to share the key findings of that investigation as soon as I am able.
Let me be clear that our focus remains unwavering on working to partner with parents to support our students and their success. The strength of the Centreville community is its people, and I have complete confidence in our outstanding staff to welcome students back to a safe, caring, and vibrant learning environment.
Let's work together to ensure our Wildcats have a fantastic start to a year filled with achievement and opportunity.
Take good care,
Dr. Michelle C. Reid
Superintendent
Aug. 11, 2025: Perez conducted a 2-hour, 45-minute interview with school board outside attorney
Aug. 12, 2025: We published an article documenting the 7x Perez warned school officials
Aug. 13, 2025: Gov. Glenn Youngkin told the Virginia State Police to launch a criminal investigation into the allegations
Stay tuned and subscribe to this newsletter. I will keep updating the tick-tock.
*shrugs* Nobody forced those girls to get abortions, they wanted them. Why not chase after some real criminals instead of girls who didn't want to ruin their lives with an unwanted pregnancy?
Important information is missing here. Virginia law would require judicial bypass in lieu of a parent’s sign-off. Did a judge give approval? If so, then the abortion was lawful. If not, then the clinic providing the abortion would have broken the law, but it’s not at all clear that the social worker would have.
What evidence exists, if any, that the social worker coerced the girl to end her pregnancy?
Did the social worker pay out of her own pocket or arrange funding through an abortion fund? And in either case, would any law have been broken? That seems unlikely to me. Would the social worker have violated any professional code of conduct?