An Indiana school secretary’s secret life unraveled in the most explosive way imaginable: Her husband caught her in a “very inappropriate” encounter with an 18-year-old student—and the confrontation turned violent.

He assaulted her right there.

But when police arrived to investigate the battery report overnight, they uncovered something far worse.

The 31-year-old Alicia Hughes wasn’t just caught with one student.

She’s now locked up in Randolph County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

The initial incident? Hughes’ husband walked in on her with the 18-year-old student (who attends the same Randolph Eastern School Corporation where she worked as a secretary at Union City Junior-Senior High School). He confronted them—allegedly battering her in the process. That battery is separately investigated by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

But the real bombshell came during the probe: Evidence pointed to the separate, repeated encounters with the underage 17-year-old.

Superintendent Neal Adams confirmed: Hughes has been “removed from all duties with students” pending the legal outcome. The district stresses student safety is priority one and is cooperating fully.

This small-town Indiana community is reeling—how did a trusted school employee allegedly cross this line multiple times? Was there grooming? How long did it go unnoticed?

The investigation is ongoing. Police urge anyone with more info to contact Union City PD.

This case is a chilling reminder: Positions of authority in schools demand the highest standards. When that trust is betrayed, the fallout hits hard—especially for vulnerable teens.

If this story shocks you (and it should), share it. Protect our kids. Click below for the full details: police statements, charges breakdown, school response, why “child seduction” is the key charge here, and the community’s stunned reaction…

A 31-year-old secretary at an Indiana high school has been arrested on felony charges following an investigation that began with a domestic battery report and escalated into allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor student. Alicia Hughes, employed by the Randolph Eastern School Corporation in Union City, faces five counts of child seduction after authorities say she engaged in sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old student on at least five occasions. The case came to light when Hughes’ husband allegedly caught her in an inappropriate situation with an 18-year-old student, leading to a confrontation and her subsequent arrest.

The Union City Police Department announced the arrest in a February 15, 2026, statement on social media. Officers were initially dispatched overnight to investigate an alleged battery. During interviews, they learned that Hughes’ husband had discovered her with an 18-year-old student from the Randolph Eastern School Corporation and confronted both individuals. The husband is accused of assaulting Hughes during the altercation; that incident remains under separate investigation by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

As detectives continued probing the battery claim, evidence emerged of a separate, more serious offense. Investigators determined that Hughes had engaged in a sexual relationship with another high school student who was 17 years old at the time. Police concluded the pair had sexual intercourse at least five times, prompting the child seduction charges.

In Indiana, child seduction is a Level 5 felony when an adult in a position of trust or authority—such as a school employee—engages in sexual conduct with a minor between 16 and 18 years old who is under their supervision or in their care. The statute aims to protect students from exploitation by those in authoritative roles, even if the minor is above the general age of consent.

Hughes was arrested and transported to the Randolph County Jail, where she is being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond. She has not yet entered a plea, and court records as of mid-February 2026 show no additional details on arraignment or pretrial proceedings.

The Randolph Eastern School Corporation, which oversees Union City Junior-Senior High School, issued a statement via Superintendent Neal Adams confirming Hughes’ employment and immediate removal: “She has been removed from all duties with students pending the outcome of the legal process.” The district emphasized cooperation with law enforcement and reiterated that student safety remains the top priority. No further personnel actions have been publicly detailed.

Union City, a small community straddling the Indiana-Ohio border with a population under 3,500, has reacted with shock. Local media coverage from outlets like WISH-TV, Fox News, and the New York Post has amplified the story nationwide, highlighting concerns over adult misconduct in educational settings. Online discussions on platforms including Facebook and Instagram have ranged from outrage at the alleged betrayal of trust to debates about the legal nuances of age and authority in such cases.

The investigation remains active, with police encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Union City Police Department. No other victims have been publicly identified, but authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further leads.

This incident adds to a broader pattern of reported educator misconduct cases across the U.S., though each stands on its own facts. For the Randolph Eastern community, the allegations have prompted reflection on oversight, reporting protocols, and the safeguards in place to prevent exploitation.

As the legal process unfolds, Hughes’ case will likely draw scrutiny on how schools handle employee conduct and the long-term impact on students involved. For now, the focus remains on accountability and ensuring no further risks to young people in the district.