3 Students Accused Of Sexual Assault At Smart Mill's Middle School

LEESBURG, VA — A trio of children face aggravated sexual battery charges in Leesburg, the police department announced on Thursday. The charges are related to an October assault of a student at Smart's Mill Middle School.

The charged children are being held at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center, pending actions from the Loudoun County Juvenile and Detention Court.

Authorities have not provided any information about the ages or genders of the suspects or the victim. The victim did not report any injuries, according to the police department.

"Pursuant to the report, the Leesburg Police Department in conjunction with Loudoun County Public Schools initiated an investigation into the incident," the police report said. "The Leesburg Police Department investigation revealed that the victim had been assaulted by the suspects at the school during the current school year."

The school system was embroiled in national controversy in 2021 for its handling of a pair of sexual assaults at schools committed by the same student. After the first assault at Stone Bridge High School on May 28, 2021, the boy committed a second assault at Broad Run High School.

At school board meetings throughout 2021, parents and Loudoun residents expressed concerns about how school officials handled the assaults.

Read more: Sentence Changed For Teen Convicted In Loudoun Sexual Assaults

The Loudoun County Public School system has not responded to Patch's request for comment regarding the assault at Smart's Mill Middle School.

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.