School Health Aide Cited For Stealing Student Medications In Fairfax

FAIRFAX, VA — A grand jury indicted 45-year-old Jennifer Carpenter, a former Fairfax County Health Department employee, on several counts of stealing medication from students at Greenbriar East Elementary School, according to a police release.

Carpenter, who was a school health aide at the Chantilly school, was in charge of monitoring and administering prescription medication to students during school hours, according to police.

On May 27, a health department supervisor contacted police after noticing a discrepancy in the amount of medication being given to several students. Police say that Carpenter falsified documentation on the medication she gave students. The detectives said they believed Carpenter was keeping scheduled narcotics, including Ritalin, Adderall, and Focalin, for herself and giving placebos to students. Police identified seven students whose medications were taken.

A detective presented testimony on Monday to the grand jury, which handed down multiple indictments. Carpenter was charged with "seven counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one count of unlawful possession of controlled substance to-wit: Methylphenidate (Ritalin), one count of unlawful possession of controlled substance to-wit: Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine (Adderall), one count of obtain drugs by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, embezzlement, or subterfuge, and one count of unlawful dispense drug in place of another without permission of the person ordering/prescribing," according to the release.

“As parents, we have an expectation that a person in a position of trust will care for our children," Capt. Frederick Chambers, commander of FCPD's Criminal Investigations Division, in a release "When that trust is broken, we can feel betrayed. Thanks to the swift notification of the health department and schools, our detectives were able to immediately begin their investigation when the discrepancy was noticed. We will continue to hold anyone who abuses their position of power accountable for their actions.

Police ask anyone who may have information about this case to call 703-591-0966. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and online. The public may also download the "P3 Tips" app “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000.