A special education teacher at Cooper Middle School has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a student.
Administrators at the school in McLean (977 Balls Hill Road) were alerted on June 4 to “concerns regarding inappropriate behavior” involving a teacher, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The school then notified the department’s Child Abuse Squad, which initiated an investigation.
“Detectives determined that Eliseo Perez, 35, of King George, a Special Education teacher at Cooper Middle School, engaged in unlawful and inappropriate contact with a student on two occasions in May of 2026,” the FCPD said.
In both cases, the victim was the same student, police confirmed to FFXnow.
Though few details about the alleged conduct were given, Perez has been charged with two counts of simple assault, which is classified in Virginia in most cases as a class 1 misdemeanor punishable with up to 12 months in jail and a fine of $2,500 or less.
State law explicitly excludes “reasonable and necessary force” used by a school official to maintain control, break up a disturbance caused by a student or prevent a student from inflicting harm on themselves or others from its definition of simple assault.
After turning himself in today (Wednesday), Perez remains in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center with a $4,000 bond, according to the FCPD.
Employed by Fairfax County Public Schools as a teacher since 2025, Perez was initially placed on administrative leave when Cooper Middle School was made aware of the allegations against him. Following his arrest, he has been suspended without pay, the FCPD said.
He is no longer listed in Cooper Middle School’s staff directory.
“FCPS takes all safety concerns seriously and responds promptly when concerns are raised by our students, staff, or families,” FCPS said in a statement. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners for their swift and thorough response. FCPS remains committed to the safety and well-being of our community.”
Cooper Middle School principal Maureen McLoughlin sent a message to families of rising eighth and ninth graders at 8:22 p.m. yesterday informing them of the arrest, though she didn’t identify Perez as the employee.
“As principal, one of my primary responsibilities is the safety and security of everyone who enters the doors of our school. This is something I take very seriously,” McLoughlin wrote. “As educators, we are entrusted with the wellbeing of the children in our care every day. It deeply affects us when someone appears to have broken that trust.”
The principal’s full message is below.
Dear Families,
I am writing to share that Fairfax County Police have announced that a special education teacher at our school has been charged with two counts of simple assault of a student. This staff member has now been suspended and was previously on administrative leave when we were made aware of the concerns and the police began their investigation.
As this employee only worked for FCPS and Cooper MS during the 2025-26 school year, we have sent this message to families of rising eighth and ninth graders.
As principal, one of my primary responsibilities is the safety and security of everyone who enters the doors of our school. This is something I take very seriously. As educators, we are entrusted with the wellbeing of the children in our care every day. It deeply affects us when someone appears to have broken that trust.
If you or your child have any concerns or information that you would like to share, you are encouraged to use the FCPS anonymous Tipline, or to please contact Crime Solvers of Fairfax County at 1-886-411-TIPS (8477).
While I am limited in what I can share due to the ongoing investigation, I am here to provide support to families and students in any way that they need.
Sincerely,
Maureen McLoughlin
Principal
Cooper Middle School
