Mother sues school district over undisclosed gender transition of trafficked Virginia girl.
Virginia Mother Sues School District After Daughter’s Dangerous Transition
A Virginia mother is taking her fight to federal court, accusing her local school district of secretly transitioning her daughter and subjecting her to dangerous situations that ultimately led to her abduction and sex trafficking. Michele Blair, the mother of Sage, has filed a lawsuit against the Appomattox County School Board and district staff, as well as public defender Aneesa Khan, who is alleged to have played a role in affirming Sage’s male identity.
A Parent’s Right to Protect
“They stole my right to protect my daughter,” Blair passionately expressed to the Washington Examiner. “As a parent, I am the expert on my child. No one in the school or court system knows my daughter better than I do. They will never understand her like I do.”
Blair revealed that her daughter faced severe bullying at school, but the school district failed to disclose the underlying reason: Sage’s identification as a boy. “She endured verbal, physical, and sexual harassment, with constant threats of rape from male classmates,” Blair shared about Sage’s freshman year at Appomattox County High School in 2021. “Despite this, the school encouraged her to use the boys’ bathroom.”
A Secret Transition
The lawsuit filed by the Child & Parent Rights Campaign alleges that the school pursued a social transition for Sage without her parents’ knowledge, despite being aware of her history of mental health issues. Blair had informed the school about Sage’s struggles with depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and hallucinations. By withholding information about Sage’s gender identity, the school deprived Blair of her fundamental parental rights to make educational and mental health decisions for her daughter.
A Tragic Outcome
Vernadette Broyles, Blair’s attorney from the CPRC, revealed that Sage ran away from home due to the relentless bullying and harassment she faced at school. “The school officials were encouraging her to use the boys’ bathroom, even though they knew she was being threatened with sexual assault. She felt unsafe and ran away from home,” Broyles explained. Tragically, Sage fell into the hands of a waiting pedophile who kidnapped, raped, and trafficked her across state lines.
A Nightmare Continues
Although Sage was eventually rescued by the FBI in Maryland, the nightmare continued when the Baltimore juvenile court system granted custody of the young girl to Aneesa Khan. Khan, according to Broyles, fabricated a story of abuse and neglect by the parents to justify keeping Sage in custody. While in custody, Sage was subjected to further sexual assault, drug exposure, and denial of medical and mental health care.
A Call for Change
Sage’s case highlights a “systematic failure” that can only be rectified when school officials recognize that transitioning a child without parental involvement is beyond their authority, Broyles emphasized. “Encouraging gender confusion in vulnerable young girls with mental health histories is cruel and irresponsible,” she added.
Support from Governor Youngkin
Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia has been vocal about Sage’s case and has implemented new guidance in the state to address the policies that contributed to her traumatic experience. “Sage’s tragic story underscores the importance of parental involvement,” stated Youngkin’s spokeswoman. ”The governor remains committed to empowering parents and safeguarding the privacy, dignity, and respect of all students.”
The school district has not responded to requests for comment.
Looking Towards a Brighter Future
Sage, despite the trauma she endured, remains hopeful for a brighter future. “I just wanted to have friends,” she confided in her mother. Blair, determined to support her daughter through the challenges of PTSD, expressed her unwavering love and commitment. While Sage may always struggle with flashbacks, Blair believes in her daughter’s ability to lead a happy life.
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