07/23/2026
Statement from the West Virginia Home Educators Association Regarding the Federal Charges Against Delegate Elliott Pritt
The West Virginia Home Educators Association is deeply saddened by the federal criminal charges filed against Delegate Elliott Pritt. Our hearts and prayers are with the young person involved, her family, and everyone affected by this case. We pray for truth, justice, healing, and courage as this matter proceeds through the legal process.
Like every citizen of this country, Delegate Pritt is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process under the law. He has been arrested and charged, but those charges have not been proven in court. We believe the allegations should be investigated thoroughly, professionally, and without prejudice until all the facts are known. That has always been WVHEA's position regarding allegations of child abuse, regardless of who the accused may be.
At the same time, allegations involving the exploitation of a child by someone entrusted with public office and the education of children are profoundly disturbing. Public officials and educators occupy positions of exceptional trust. When that trust is called into question by allegations of this seriousness, public confidence is understandably shaken. Given the gravity of these federal charges, we believe Delegate Pritt should resign from the West Virginia House of Delegates so the people of his district can be represented without this matter overshadowing their voice in government.
This case also serves as an important reminder of a principle WVHEA has consistently defended before the West Virginia Legislature.
Delegate Pritt was among the legislators who advocated for legislation that would have limited a parent's ability to immediately withdraw a child from public school under certain circumstances. The allegations in this case do not determine public policy. However, they do reinforce why WVHEA has consistently argued that parents must retain the authority to act immediately when they reasonably believe their child may be in danger while allegations are thoroughly investigated.
For years, WVHEA has opposed legislation that would unnecessarily restrict a parent's ability to withdraw a child from public school to begin homeschooling while allegations of abuse are being investigated. Our opposition has never been based on minimizing allegations of child abuse. To the contrary, we have repeatedly testified that every allegation should be fully investigated until the facts are known.
Our concern has always been that public policy should not assume danger exists only in one setting while safety exists in another.
Predators often seek positions of trust because trust provides access to children. That unfortunate reality means no profession, institution, or educational setting is immune from the actions of someone who intends to exploit that trust. Good public policy must recognize that reality rather than assume one educational environment is inherently safe while another is inherently suspect.
That is precisely why parents must retain the freedom to make immediate decisions they reasonably believe are necessary to protect their own children while authorities conduct a thorough investigation. Policies that unnecessarily delay or prevent those decisions may unintentionally keep a child in an environment that a parent reasonably believes is unsafe. The primary responsibility for protecting a child should remain with the child's parents unless a court determines otherwise.
WVHEA's position has remained consistent throughout the debate over homeschool freedom in West Virginia. We support vigorous investigation of credible allegations of child abuse. We support holding offenders fully accountable if they are found guilty. We also support protecting the constitutional rights of parents who act in good faith to safeguard their children.
These principles are not in conflict. In fact, they strengthen one another.
Our mission has never been about defending abusers. It has always been about defending children, protecting parental rights, and preserving the freedom of families to choose the educational environment they believe is safest and best for their children.
This moment should not divide West Virginians. It should remind us that protecting children and protecting parental rights are not competing goals. They are complementary responsibilities. Laws should empower parents to act decisively to protect their children while ensuring that every allegation is fully investigated and every offender is held accountable under the law.
WVHEA will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen families, protect children, preserve parental rights, and defend the freedom of West Virginia families to choose the educational environment they believe is best for their children.
Roy Ramey, President, WV Home Educators Association
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