Alicia Hughes, a 31-year-old secretary at an Indiana high school, has been arrested on multiple charges of child seduction after her husband allegedly caught her with an 18-year-old student, prompting authorities to uncover evidence of sexual abuse involving a younger student, police said.
Hughes was employed by the Randolph Eastern School Corporation, was taken into custody Saturday by the Union City Police Department following a report of an alleged battery. According to investigators, Hughes’ husband confronted her and the 18-year-old student after discovering them together, leading to an altercation in which Hughes was reportedly battered. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department is also examining that incident.
As the probe deepened, authorities discovered that Hughes had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student on at least five separate occasions. Both students attend schools within the Randolph Eastern School Corporation, which serves the Union City area in eastern Indiana near the Ohio border. Hughes faces five counts of child seduction, a Level 5 felony under Indiana law, which applies when an adult in a position of authority or supervision engages in sexual acts with a minor aged 16 to 18.
Hughes was booked into the Randolph County Jail, where she remains held on a $25,000 cash-only bond. No initial court appearance has been scheduled, and the investigation continues, with police indicating that additional charges could be filed if more evidence emerges.
The Randolph Eastern School Corporation, which includes Union City Community Junior/Senior High School, has confirmed its cooperation with law enforcement. In a statement, school officials emphasized their commitment to student safety and said they are following all appropriate protocols, though they declined to comment further on personnel matters. The district, serving about 900 students in rural Randolph County, has not indicated whether Hughes has been suspended or terminated pending the outcome of the case.
Cases of educator misconduct have drawn increased scrutiny nationwide, with the U.S. Department of Education reporting hundreds of similar incidents annually, often involving positions of trust like teachers or administrative staff. In Indiana, state law mandates background checks and training on boundaries for school employees to prevent such abuses.
Hughes’ attorney was not immediately available for comment. The case highlights ongoing concerns about protecting vulnerable students in educational settings, as authorities work to ensure accountability.
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