Grand Jury Can Continue Loudoun Schools Sexual Assault Investigation: VA Supreme Court

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A grand jury can continue its investigation into Loudoun County Public Schools' handling of two high-profile sexual assault cases, the Virginia Supreme Court decided.

The investigation is spearheaded by Attorney General Jason Miyares. Gov. Glenn Youngkin ordered Miyares to open an investigation into the Loudoun County school system on his first day in office in January.

The Loudoun County School Board appealed to state courts to stop the investigation earlier this year. In July, a circuit court judge denied the school board's request for an injunction. The Virginia Supreme Court upheld that decision.

The school board claimed Miyares's investigation was politically motivated. The board also argued that the state has a mandate to allow local school boards to oversee their own affairs.

Read more: Investigation Into Loudoun Schools Announced By Attorney General

Miyares has said the investigation is crucial to understand what led to the assaults. In May 2021, a high school student sexually assaulted a girl in a bathroom at Stone Bridge High School.

The boy was allowed to transfer schools. In October 2021, he sexually assaulted another girl in a classroom at Broad Run High School. A Loudoun County judge found that boy was responsible for both assaults.

Read more: Sentence Changed For Teen Convicted In Loudoun Sexual Assault Cases

"This is yet another win for both Loudoun families and the Commonwealth in our fight for justice and answers," Miyares said in a news release on Friday. "We are pleased with the court’s ruling and ready to move forward."

In its decision, the Virginia Supreme Court said the Loudoun County School Board failed to prove that the grand jury investigation infringed on the school board's rights.

"The School Board has offered no convincing argument for why the grand jury investigation infringes this provision," the court wrote in its opinion. "The constitutional power to administer a school district does not bring with it immunity from investigation for violations of the criminal law."

Youngkin released a statement on Friday describing the court's ruling as a victory for Virginia residents.

"After the Loudoun County School Board failed to address sexual assault incidents in their district, were not held accountable for their actions and continuously let down students and parents in Virginia, I signed an executive order on my first day in office authorizing an investigation by Attorney General Miyares into the Loudoun County Public Schools," Youngkin said in the statement.

The Loudoun County School system said it would cooperate with the investigation as it resumes.

"While LCPS is disappointed in the results, it will continue to comply with the Special Grand Jury’s requests and awaits the results of its investigation,” Loudoun County Public Schools wrote in a statement.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can provide information about reporting and coping with sexual abuse. Their website also features training materials and tips to prevent sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.