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A school corporation secretary in Randolph County is facing multiple felony charges after an investigation uncovered alleged sexual misconduct with a minor student — with video evidence of the alleged conduct discovered on her own devices.
Alicia Hughes, a secretary for the Randolph Eastern School Corporation, is the Randolph Eastern School Corporation Secretary Accused of Child Seduction in Indiana who was taken into custody by the Union City Police Department and held at the Randolph County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond. Hughes faces five counts of child seduction, one count of child exploitation, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material — all Level 5 felonies.
The investigation was set in motion when Union City Police received a report of an alleged battery. While looking into that incident, officers learned that Hughes had allegedly been found with an 18-year-old student by a family member, who confronted the pair. As investigators continued their inquiry, they uncovered evidence of a separate alleged sexual relationship between Hughes and a 17-year-old student that allegedly occurred on at least five occasions. Police later discovered video footage on Hughes' devices of her allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a person under the age of 18, prompting a request to the Randolph County Prosecutor's Office for additional charges.
The Randolph Eastern School Corporation confirmed it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
The factual information above was sourced from local12.com as of February 16, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a school employee is accused of sexually exploiting a student, families may have significant civil legal options beyond the criminal process. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Indiana sexual abuse attorney Jeff Gibson about the civil legal avenues that may be available in cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by a school staff member.
Paul Amess: Jeff, when a school employee is accused of child seduction and sexual exploitation of a student, what civil legal options may be available to families?
Jeff Gibson: Cases involving the alleged sexual exploitation of a student by a school employee raise serious civil liability questions that go well beyond the individual accused. Families may have grounds to pursue civil claims against the school corporation as well. When a school places an employee in a position of daily contact with students, it takes on a duty to screen, supervise, and protect those students. A failure at any of those levels — particularly when the alleged conduct involves a member of the school's own staff — can expose the institution to significant civil liability.
Paul Amess: In cases where video evidence of the alleged conduct is found on a school employee's personal devices, how does that factor into potential civil claims?
Jeff Gibson: The existence of such evidence can be highly significant in civil litigation. It can help establish the nature and extent of the alleged conduct and may raise additional questions about whether the institution had any opportunity to identify warning signs before the alleged misconduct came to light. Every case is different, and families should speak with an experienced attorney to understand how the specific facts of their situation may apply.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a family in Indiana whose child was allegedly subjected to sexual misconduct by a school employee?
Jeff Gibson: Please speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Time limits apply to civil claims in Indiana, and acting early always gives families the strongest possible position. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no family should have to face this process alone.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual misconduct, child seduction, or exploitation by a school employee or any person in a position of authority in Indiana, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Indiana sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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