Indiana School Secretary Faces Multiple Child Seduction Charges
A high school secretary in Indiana has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child seduction following allegations of sexual relationships with two students. The case came to light after her husband reportedly discovered her with one of the teenagers, leading to a physical altercation that is now under separate investigation.
Discovery and Initial Confrontation
According to Union City police, Alicia Hughes, 31, was caught by her husband on Friday night while she was with an 18-year-old student from the Randolph Eastern School Corporation. The confrontation between the husband and the pair allegedly escalated, resulting in Hughes being battered during the incident. The Randolph County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating this alleged battery as a separate matter from the sexual abuse charges.
Expanding Investigation Reveals Second Relationship
As police continued their investigation, they uncovered evidence suggesting Hughes had engaged in a separate sexual relationship with a 17-year-old high school student. Authorities state that Hughes and the minor had sexual intercourse at least five times. While the age of consent in Indiana is 16, state law permits charges against adults who hold positions of authority over individuals aged 18 or younger with whom they engage in sexual relationships.
Legal Charges and Custody Status
Hughes was taken into custody on Saturday and has been formally charged with five counts of child seduction specifically related to the alleged sexual abuse of the minor student. She was transported to Randolph County Jail, where she is being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond pending further legal proceedings.
School District Response and Cooperation
The Randolph Eastern School Corporation has been cooperating fully with the police investigation, according to official statements. Union City police expressed appreciation for the district's "swift cooperation, transparency, and commitment to protecting the students" throughout the ongoing investigation.
Superintendent Neal Adams released a statement emphasizing that the district is treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness. "We recognize that situations of this nature are deeply concerning for our families, staff, and the broader community," Adams said. "Please know that we share those concerns and are taking this matter with the utmost seriousness, care and urgency."
Adams further stated that the district's primary focus remains on supporting students and maintaining a safe, respectful learning environment for all. He declined to provide additional comments, citing the active criminal investigation and the need to protect student privacy.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
Union City police have confirmed that their investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the case to come forward. The situation has raised significant concerns within the school community about student safety and appropriate boundaries between staff and students.
The case highlights the legal complexities surrounding relationships between school employees and students, even when students are above the general age of consent. Indiana's child seduction statutes specifically address these power dynamics within educational settings.
