A 42-year-old technology education teacher and assistant band director in Waterbury has been arrested on charges of harmful communication with a minor. The arrest follows an investigation into inappropriate text messages allegedly sent to a 16-year-old female student.
Philip Hughes of Southbury was taken into custody by police and later released after posting a $50,000 bond. According to official records, Hughes was placed on paid administrative leave from his position on December 31, 2025, as the investigation proceeded. The specific school where he was employed has not been publicly identified.
Key Takeaways
- A Waterbury teacher, Philip Hughes, 42, faces charges of harmful communication with a minor.
- The investigation began after a 16-year-old student's mother reported inappropriate messages.
- Alleged messages included calling the student "baby girl" and sending her images from her deleted social media accounts.
- Hughes has been on paid administrative leave since December 31, 2025, and was released on a $50,000 bond.
Investigation Launched After Parent's Report
The case came to the attention of law enforcement when the student's mother contacted the Waterbury police. She reported that her daughter was receiving unsettling messages from Hughes, prompting an official inquiry.
Investigators obtained a warrant to conduct a forensic examination of the student's iPhone 15. This analysis uncovered a series of text message exchanges between Hughes and the teenager. The communications reportedly took place over iMessage and a dedicated application used for band activities.
A Pattern of Communication
According to the arrest warrant, the evidence suggested a pattern of communication where Hughes allegedly attempted to entice the student. The messages reportedly began during the winter school break.
In a written statement provided to police on January 20, the student explained that the initial contact was a message from Hughes through the band app, wishing her a merry Christmas. The nature of the communication allegedly changed shortly after.
Details Emerge from Court Documents
The arrest warrant contains specific details about the content of the messages. Hughes is accused of sending his personal phone number to the student and escalating the tone of their conversations.
One message highlighted in the documents allegedly read:
"Am I just a teacher to you, because you’re more than a student to me."
Police documents state that Hughes repeatedly referred to the student as "baby girl" in the text exchanges. The student told investigators these messages made her feel afraid, leading her to delete the text conversations and call logs with Hughes from her phone.
Social Media Search Raises Alarm
A particularly concerning element for the student was when Hughes allegedly sent her screenshots of videos from her deleted TikTok account. He reportedly told her he found them by performing a Google search, which made her uncomfortable that an adult in a supervisory role was searching for her old photos online.
Teacher's Employment Status
Philip Hughes was hired by the Waterbury school system on March 24, 2025. He served as both a technology education teacher and an assistant director for the school's band.
Administrative Leave Protocol
Placing an employee on paid administrative leave is a standard procedure in many school districts when serious allegations arise. This measure removes the employee from contact with students while allowing an internal and legal investigation to be completed. The outcome of the investigation will determine future employment actions.
He was placed on paid administrative leave at the end of December 2025, pending the outcome of the police investigation. His arrest this week marks a significant development in the case. The legal proceedings are now set to move forward following his release on bond.