Texas Substitute Teacher and Boyfriend Face Dozens of Charges in Child Abuse Case
A Texas grand jury has returned indictments against a former substitute teacher and her boyfriend, charging them with multiple counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of a 5-year-old girl. The indictments signal that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to move forward with a trial in this disturbing case.
Details of the Indictments and Charges
Madison Paige Jones, 30, was indicted on March 4, 2026, facing 19 separate charges. These include aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual contact with a child, and possession with intent to promote child pornography, according to official Ellis County court records. Her boyfriend, Zackery Dondlinger, 37, faces 20 similar charges in connection with the same alleged incidents.
The indictments represent a formal determination by the grand jury that there is enough probable cause for the case to proceed through the criminal justice system toward a potential trial. Both defendants now face serious legal consequences if convicted.
Investigation Timeline and Allegations
The investigation began on December 17, 2026, when Midlothian police responded to reports of a possible sexual assault involving a child. Authorities revealed that a friend of Jones alerted law enforcement after claiming that Jones had confessed to recording sexual acts involving a child and sending those videos to her boyfriend.
According to an affidavit cited by People magazine, "Madison admitted she sent the videos to her boyfriend, Zackery, on Snapchat." Court documents referenced by News Channel 10 further allege that Jones told investigators she abused the child at Dondlinger's specific request and subsequently shared the recordings with him.
Investigators reported discovering text messages between Jones and Dondlinger that appeared to corroborate these disturbing claims, providing additional evidence for the prosecution.
Arrests and Employment Background
Jones was taken into custody on December 19, 2025, shortly after the investigation commenced. Authorities later identified Dondlinger as a second suspect and arrested him on December 23 at the oil rig where he was employed at the time.
Midlothian Assistant Police Chief Scott Brown emphasized that the accusations are completely unrelated to Jones' employment in education. "There was an allegation made that she was involved in an offense against a child, and a boyfriend was involved as well," Brown told PEOPLE. "She was employed in our local school district, and this has no connection with her job as a teacher."
Jones had previously worked as a substitute teacher in the Midlothian Independent School District. School officials confirmed she had only worked four days during the past year and is no longer employed by the district.
Bond Amounts and Legal Proceedings
Following the grand jury indictments, bond amounts for both defendants were significantly increased. According to KVII reports, Jones' bond was raised to $3.84 million, while Dondlinger's bond was set at $5 million. These substantial bond amounts reflect the seriousness of the charges and the perceived flight risk of the defendants.
The case now moves forward in the Texas criminal justice system, with both defendants facing multiple felony charges that could result in lengthy prison sentences if they are convicted. The community and law enforcement continue to process the disturbing nature of the allegations against individuals who were in positions that should have protected children rather than harmed them.
