Fairfax County Public Schools has launched an investigation into allegations that a male student groped several female students at Fairfax High School.
Israel Flores-Ortiz, 18, was arrested on March 7 and has been charged with nine counts of misdemeanor assault and battery. The Department of Homeland Security said Flores-Ortiz is from El Salvador and is in the U.S. illegally. He is accused of repeatedly walking behind female students in crowded hallways and grabbing them between the legs, DHS said.
FCPS superintendent Michelle Reid addressed the issue in a March 23 statement. Reid said she is aware that news of the assaults has “caused significant concern for our students, parents, staff, and our Fairfax community. We share that concern. I want to be clear that such behavior is unacceptable in Fairfax County Public Schools.”
Reid said the county is hiring law firm McGuireWoods to investigate the matter. “The goal is clear: to establish a clear understanding of what occurred, when it occurred, and confirm that all policies, procedures, and regulations were properly followed,” Reid said.
Reid also encouraged anyone with concerns or information to report it to FCPS’ anonymous tip line or to call the Fairfax City Police Department at 703-385-7924.
Feature image, courtesy stock.adobe.com
