Union City, Indiana – A Randolph Eastern School Corporation secretary has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged sexual relationships with two students, authorities announced Tuesday. Alicia Hughes, 34, faces multiple charges following an investigation that began over the weekend after police responded to a reported battery incident.
The incident unfolded when Hughes was allegedly found with an 18-year-old student by her husband, leading to a physical altercation. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the battery claim, while a separate investigation revealed allegations of a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student, according to police reports.
Hughes has been charged with five counts of child seduction related to the alleged relationship with the 17-year-old, People.com reported. The nature of any potential charges related to the encounter with the 18-year-old remains unclear at this time.
The Randolph Eastern School Corporation has removed Hughes from all duties involving students pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. Superintendent Neal Adams stated, “Because this is an active criminal investigation, and to protect the privacy of students and the integrity of the process, RESC will not comment further on specific details at this time. We will continue to follow all legal and personnel procedures required under state law and board policy.”
Details of the Investigation
The initial police response stemmed from a battery report over the weekend, according to the Union City Police Department. Upon arriving at the scene, officers learned that Hughes had allegedly been discovered with an 18-year-old student, prompting a confrontation with her husband. The husband’s identity has not been released by authorities.
Further investigation by police uncovered allegations that Hughes had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student on at least five separate occasions. This led to the five counts of child seduction being filed against her. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet commented on whether the husband will face any charges related to the battery incident. AOL.com reports that Hughes was employed as a secretary at Randolph Eastern School Corporation.
Bond and Next Steps
Hughes is currently being held at the Randolph County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when the case will proceed, but it is expected to move through the Randolph County court system. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and the Union City Police Department have not yet responded to further requests for comment regarding the ongoing investigations.
This is a developing story. As more information becomes available, Archyde.com will continue to provide updates. We encourage anyone with information related to this case to contact the Union City Police Department or the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department.
If you or someone you know needs help, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE. You can also identify resources at RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).
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