An Indiana high school secretary has been arrested and charged after investigators said she had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student and was also discovered by her husband with another student. Alicia Hughes, 31, faces five counts of child seduction, and authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
The case began as a domestic call and quickly widened into a criminal investigation involving students, police said. Prosecutors have not publicly described a motive, and authorities have not said whether additional charges are expected. The school district has removed Hughes from duties involving students as the case proceeds.
According to statements summarized in police reporting, officers were called after Hughes’ husband said he caught her with an 18-year-old student during a sexual encounter. Police were initially responding to a battery report connected to the confrontation, investigators said. As officers and detectives followed up, they interviewed witnesses and reviewed information that led them to a separate allegation involving a different student who was 17 at the time, authorities said.
Investigators determined Hughes and the 17-year-old student had sexual intercourse on at least five occasions, police said. The alleged encounters were described as occurring over a period of time rather than a single incident, and detectives said the student was a minor during the relationship. Authorities have not publicly released the student’s identity and have not provided specific dates or locations for the alleged encounters beyond tying them to the school community.
Hughes was charged with five counts of child seduction and booked into the Randolph County Jail, according to jail and court information described in reporting. Her bond was set at $25,000 cash only. It was not immediately clear whether Hughes had retained an attorney or entered a plea, and court records referenced in reports did not list a detailed public response from her defense.
The investigation has involved the Union City Police Department and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, authorities said. Officials have not publicly said whether they plan to file charges related to the 18-year-old student. Police also have not said whether Hughes’ husband will face charges connected to the initial battery investigation that brought officers to the scene.
Randolph Eastern School Corp., the district connected to the school where Hughes worked, said she had been removed from all duties involving students while the case moves through the courts. Superintendent Neal Adams declined to provide details in public comments cited in reports, citing the ongoing investigation and student privacy.
The charges allege a breach of trust in a school setting, and investigators said they are continuing to gather information. Authorities have not said whether other students may have been involved or whether any additional staff members are being investigated. Officials also have not released any details about how long Hughes worked at the school or whether there had been previous complaints.
Hughes remained in custody as the case advanced through early court steps, and investigators said the next milestones include initial hearings and any decisions on additional charges after further review of evidence. Police have said the inquiry is active and that they are working to protect the identities of the students involved.
Author note: Last updated February 19, 2026.