Texas Substitute Teacher Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges, Including Sexual Assault of a Child
A substitute teacher in Texas has been arrested on serious charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child, raising significant concerns about safety within educational environments. Madison Jones, 30, faces multiple felony counts following a police investigation into potential child sexual abuse.
Why It Matters
This arrest highlights ongoing issues of child safety in schools, particularly relating to those entrusted with the care of students. The incident raises questions about the vetting processes for substitute teachers and the measures taken to protect children from potential harm in educational settings.
Key Developments
- Madison Jones was taken into custody by the Midlothian Police Department on December 19, 2025, following reports of possible sexual assault involving a child.
- Another suspect, 37-year-old Zackery Dondlinger, was arrested on December 23 and charged with sexual performance by a child.
- Jones is facing serious charges, including aggravated sexual assault (first-degree felony) and two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact (second-degree felonies).
- Jones is also charged with possession of over 500 visual depictions of child pornography and is being held on a $90,000 bond.
- The Midlothian Independent School District confirmed that Jones was no longer employed and stated there was no indication that the allegations were connected to her work as a substitute teacher.
Full Report
Details of Arrest
Madison Jones was arrested following a report made to the Midlothian Police Department regarding a potential sexual assault involving a child. Investigators from the department’s Criminal Investigation Division later identified Zackery Dondlinger, who is believed to have been in a dating relationship with Jones. Dondlinger has been charged with sexual performance by a child and is currently detained in Winkler County.
Charges Against Jones
Jones faces multiple severe charges, including aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, along with two second-degree felony counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Additionally, she is charged with possession of child pornography, highlighted by the presence of more than 500 visual depictions. She is being held on a substantial bond of $90,000.
Statements from Authorities
In a statement, the Midlothian Police Department acknowledged the support received from the Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center and other law enforcement agencies during the investigation. They confirmed that the probes are ongoing and emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of children in the community.
The school district also issued a statement indicating that Jones had served as a substitute teacher on multiple occasions in the past year yet maintained that there was no evidence linking the allegations to her time in the district.
Context & Previous Events
The Midlothian Independent School District confirmed that Jones had been employed four times over the past year, underscoring ongoing scrutiny regarding the protocols for hiring and monitoring substitute teachers. The district’s process for vetting employees was executed effectively, which allowed for swift action upon notification by the Department of Public Safety.
