UNION CITY, Indiana – The legal proceedings against Alicia Hughes, a 31-year-old attendance secretary at Union City Junior-Senior High School, are facing significant challenges following the public release of a police interrogation video. Hughes, who serves within the Randolph Eastern School Corporation, was arrested and charged with five felony counts of child seduction, but the video’s disclosure has created a contentious divide between law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office.
"The recent release of the video interview of Ms. Hughes did not come from my office, and my office did not authorize, approve or have anything to do with its release." — Randolph County Prosecutor David Daly
The investigation into Hughes began on Valentine’s Day, when her husband allegedly discovered her in a compromising situation with an 18-year-old student from the school district. This confrontation reportedly escalated into a physical altercation, leading to a battery call to local police. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office is separately investigating the battery incident involving Hughes’ husband.
During the subsequent investigation into the battery case, detectives from the Union City Police Department uncovered evidence suggesting a sexual relationship between Hughes and a different student, a 17-year-old. Court documents indicate that this relationship allegedly commenced in September 2025. The initial contact, according to these documents, occurred when the 17-year-old student called the school to report an absence. Hughes, acting as attendance secretary that day, reportedly sent a text message from her personal cell phone to the student, questioning his reported illness. Over time, these communications allegedly evolved, leading to multiple in-person meetings and sexual encounters at various locations off school property.
Based on this evidence, Hughes was arrested and booked at the Randolph County Jail. She was held on a $25,000 cash-only bond, facing five counts of child seduction, each classified as a Level 5 felony under Indiana law. If convicted on all charges, Hughes could face substantial penalties, including up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine per charge, potentially totaling 30 years behind bars and $50,000 in fines. Her trial is currently scheduled for June 15.
A key development in the case emerged with the public circulation of a recorded police interrogation video. In the footage, Hughes is seen discussing the allegations involving the 18-year-old student, admitting to having slept with him three times and breaking down in tears during the questioning. However, when officers pressed her about potential sexual encounters with other students, Hughes invoked her right to counsel, stating, “I’ll need my lawyer here at this point,” before she was placed under arrest.
The public release of this interrogation video has become a focal point of contention. Randolph County Prosecutor David Daly publicly distanced his office from the disclosure, expressing concerns about its potential impact on a fair trial. "The recent release of the video interview of Ms. Hughes did not come from my office, and my office did not authorize, approve or have anything to do with its release," Daly told the Muncie Star Press. He further noted that his office had not yet received or accessed a copy of the interview at the time it began circulating in the media. Daly emphasized his dual commitment to pursuing justice for victims while simultaneously protecting Hughes’ constitutional right to a fair trial and avoiding prejudicing the jury pool.
In response, the Union City Police Department defended its decision to release the footage. Mark Ater, the department’s director of public safety, issued a formal statement asserting that the release was both lawful and deliberate. "Let me be clear, the police department did not seek, nor was it required to seek, approval from the prosecutor’s office before releasing this brief excerpt," Ater stated. He clarified that the released clip contained no admission of criminal conduct involving a minor, highlighting that Hughes did not admit in the video to having sex with a minor. Ater concluded by saying, "The department exercised restraint and ensured no protected information was disclosed."
Following her arrest, Hughes was suspended from her position at the Randolph Eastern School Corporation. Superintendent Neal Adams confirmed her removal from all duties involving students, pending the outcome of the legal process. "RESC takes all allegations involving students extremely seriously," Adams stated. "Upon becoming aware of concerns, the corporation fully cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so as the investigation proceeds." The ongoing dispute over the video's release adds a layer of complexity to the already serious charges, potentially influencing jury selection and the overall legal strategy as the trial date approaches.
