A middle school teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia, was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a student.
The Fairfax County Police Department confirmed in a news release school administrators at Cooper Middle School were notified about concerns regarding inappropriate behavior that involved a teacher and a student on June 4.
Detectives from the Child Abuse Squad were also notified and the team took over the investigation regarding the allegations.
Authorities ultimately determined that Eliseo Perez, who worked as a special education teacher at Cooper Middle School, had allegedly engaged in unlawful and inappropriate contact with a student on two separate occasions in May 2026.
Perez, 35, turned himself in on Wednesday, July 22, and was then charged with two counts of simple assault and his bond was set at $4,000.
Perez has been working as a teacher at Cooper Middle School since 2025, police confirmed in the news release. After the district became aware of the allegations, he was placed on administrative leave. He has since been suspended without pay in light of his arrest.
Authorities have asked that anyone with information regarding the case contact Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477 or submit a tip online.
Despite confirming his arrest, police have not shared much additional information regarding the allegations. It’s not currently clear what Perez allegedly did to the student, how old the student is and if the incidents happened on school property.
It is not currently clear if Perez has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Fairfax County Police Department had no additional updates to share when contacted by Us about the case.
Authorities also said in the release that they have recruited victim specialists from the department’s Victim Services Division to work with the victim and ensure they receive appropriate resources and assistance as they navigate the experience.
On the same day that Perez turned himself in, Fairfax County Public Schools issued a statement about his arrest.
“FCPS takes all safety concerns seriously and responds promptly when concerns are raised by our students, staff, or families. We appreciate our law enforcement partners for their swift and thorough response,” the statement said, according to WUSA 9. “FCPS remains committed to the safety and well-being of our community. For further information, please contact Fairfax County Police.”
Parents, teachers, and guardians interested in learning more about protecting children from exploitation can find useful tools and information at Know2Protect.
