School Health Aide Indicted for Taking Student’s Medicine

Fair Oaks Police District – A former Fairfax County Health Department employee assigned to Greenbriar East Elementary School has been indicted on several charges for stealing student’s medication. Detectives from our Criminal Investigation Division began their investigation on May 27, after a Health Department supervisor noticed a discrepancy in the amount of medication several students maintained at the school.

Jennifer Carpenter, 45, of Chantilly, was assigned as a school health aide at Greenbriar East Elementary School. During the school day, Carpenter was responsible for maintaining and administering prescription medication to students during school hours. Detectives determined Carpenter was falsifying documentation on medication she gave students. Detectives believe she was dispensing sugar placebo pills and/or over the counter medicine in the place of the prescribed narcotics. Detectives believe Carpenter was keeping the scheduled narcotics, which included Ritalin, Adderall, and Focalin, for personal use. During the investigation, detectives identified seven students whose medicine was being abused.

On Monday, a detective provided testimony before a Grand Jury which led to the indictment of Carpenter. She was indicted on 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. Due to the charges being brought forth by an indictment, a booking photograph will be updated when she is formally charged.

“As parents, we have an expectation that a person in a position of trust will care for our children. 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,” Captain Frederick Chambers, Commander, Criminal Investigations Division.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to please call 703-591-0966. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.  

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