School Secretary Faces Child Seduction Charges After Sexual Relationships with Students
A high school secretary in Indiana has been charged with multiple counts of child seduction following shocking admissions about sexual relationships with students, including one incident discovered by her husband on Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day Discovery Leads to Criminal Investigation
Alicia Hughes, a 31-year-old secretary at Randolph East School Corporation, was allegedly caught by her husband on February 14 having sex with an 18-year-old student from the school. According to police reports, the husband discovered the pair in bed together at their Union City home, leading to a physical altercation where he allegedly beat Hughes before she called authorities to report battery.
In police interview footage that has since emerged, Hughes admitted that "the physical thing" with the 18-year-old student had been ongoing for approximately one month before the Valentine's Day discovery. "This is the third time that I have been with him," Hughes stated during the interrogation, though she later clarified that the sexual relationship did not begin until after the teenager turned 18.
Additional Allegations from Second Student
Following the initial incident, a 17-year-old boy came forward to police with additional allegations against Hughes. The teenager claimed he had engaged in sexual activity with the school secretary "at least five times," with their initial encounter reportedly occurring in a car outside a discount store.
When confronted with these claims during her police interview, Hughes denied having sex with the 17-year-old student but admitted to meeting him at the discount store and sending him pictures. "I never slept with him," she maintained during questioning.
Serious Criminal Charges and Potential Penalties
Hughes now faces five counts of child seduction under Indiana law, a unique statute that specifically addresses sexual activity between individuals in positions of trust and minors aged 16 to 18. Each charge carries potential penalties of up to six years in prison and fines reaching $14,159, meaning Hughes could face decades behind bars if convicted on all counts.
The school secretary has been removed from her position at Randolph East School Corporation pending the outcome of the case. Superintendent Neal Adams confirmed the allegations are being taken "extremely seriously" and that the school corporation has fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
Complex Personal Circumstances and Legal Proceedings
Hughes, who has three children with her husband, alleges that her spouse had been physically and mentally abusive toward her, though she emphasized that this did not justify her actions with either student. Her husband had reportedly filed for divorce and sought emergency custody of their children just days before the Valentine's Day incident.
It remains unclear whether Hughes' husband will face any charges related to the alleged battery. Meanwhile, a jury trial date has been scheduled for June 15, where the full details of these disturbing allegations will be examined in court.
Superintendent Adams stated that to protect student privacy and maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the school corporation will not comment further on specific details at this time. The case continues to develop as authorities pursue their investigation into these serious allegations against a former school employee.
