An Indiana school secretary accused of a sexual relationship with a student broke down in tears during a police interview as she admitted to having sex with the 18-year-old student 'three' times.
Alicia Hughes, 31, insisted sexual contact did not happen until after the boy turned 18, according to interrogation footage and reports on the case.
Hughes, a mother of three, has been charged with five counts of child seduction tied to allegations involving a separate 17-year-old student.
The case began with an overnight Valentine's Day response to an alleged battery report at Hughes's home.
Police were initially investigating what happened during a confrontation after Hughes's husband, Bailey, allegedly found her with an 18-year-old student.
Hughes can be heard telling the interrogating officer that, while her actions weren't 'justified,' she was 'physically and mentally' abused by her husband. 'And that's where I'm at. And now I'm here,' she said.
While the 18-year-old was legally an adult, investigators later focused on allegations involving a different student who was 17.
Under Indiana law, authorities allege Hughes was in a 'position of authority,' which is central to the child seduction charge.
Alicia Hughes told investigators in Indiana, 'This is the third time that I've been with him,' referring to an 18-year-old student
The mother of three told police that the encounters were 'not before he was 18'
Hughes, 31, was arrested earlier this month and charged with five counts of child seduction
Footage of Hughes sitting in an interview room at the Union City Police Department shows her swinging between calm admissions and tearful appeals as detectives press her on whether there were other students.
In the interrogation footage, an investigator can be seen asking Hughes whether her relationship with the 18-year-old was the first time she had been physical with a student.
'The physical thing … has been going on since the end of January. This is the third time that I've been with him,' Hughes replied.
'Not like before he was 18. Like this is the third time I've physically been with him,' she added.
All the while, investigators already had information about a 17-year-old coming forward with a much more serious allegation that Hughes had a sexual relationship while the student was still a minor.
'Have you had sex with any other students?' an officer asks.
'Oh, no,' Hughes responds.
'Are you sure about that?' the officer presses.
Police were first called to Hughes's home on Valentine's Day after she reported an alleged battery involving her husband, Bailey
Authorities say Bailey had discovered her in bed with an 18-year-old student earlier that day, leading to a confrontation between the couple
In the footage, Hughes continues to deny sex with the 17-year-old, but her answers shift.
When asked about an alleged meeting with the minor in the Dollar General parking lot, she acknowledges contact while denying intercourse.
'Never met him at [a] dollar store parking lot?' the investigator asks.
'Yes, I have met him, but I never slept with him,' Hughes replies.
The investigator then also asks about pictures.
'Did you ever send him pictures?' the investigator inquires.
'Yes,' Hughes answers.
Not long after, Hughes asks for a lawyer and the interview comes to an end.
A local report citing an affidavit said the alleged relationship with the 17-year-old began after he called the school to report himself absent.
The call was taken by Hughes and he later received a text from an unknown number that was determined to be Hughes's personal cellphone.
The first alleged sexual encounter occurred in the parking lot of the Union City Dollar General, followed by four more, including two in Harter Park by soccer fields.
Authorities allege there were at least five sexual encounters involving the minor.
During her interrogation, Hughes told investigators there was 'no justifying it,' but claimed she had been 'physically and mentally' abused by her husband. There has been no public response from him to that allegation
Court records show Bailey has since filed for divorce and petitioned for emergency custody of their three children
Eastern Randolph School Corporation said Hughes 'has been removed from all duties with students pending the outcome of the legal process'
Hughes was arrested and charged with five counts of child seduction and booked into the Randolph County Jail, where she was held on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
She could face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each of the five charges.
The school's superintendent said the district was aware of the arrest 'following a law enforcement investigation into allegations involving inappropriate conduct with a student,' and added that the employee 'has been removed from all duties with students pending the outcome of the legal process.'
The statement also said the district 'fully cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so as the investigation proceeds,' citing student safety as its 'highest priority.'
Court records show Bailey has since filed for divorce and petitioned for emergency custody of their three children, according to Law & Crime.
