In a disturbing turn of events out of Texas, a substitute teacher has been taken into custody and now faces several felony charges, including the grave accusation of aggravated sexual assault of a child, according to local law enforcement.
Madison Jones, 30, was apprehended by Midlothian Police Department officers on December 19, following a report received just two days prior that suggested a possible sexual assault involving a minor. The case quickly drew attention as investigators worked diligently to uncover the facts.
As the investigation progressed, detectives in the department’s Criminal Investigation Division identified a second individual allegedly involved in the case. Zackery Dondlinger, 37, hailing from Happy, Texas, emerged as another suspect in this troubling narrative.
Dondlinger was subsequently arrested on December 23. He faces charges related to the sexual performance of a child and was detained at the Winkler County Detention Center at the time of his arrest. His involvement adds a concerning layer to the ongoing investigation.
The Midlothian Police Department further revealed that Jones and Dondlinger had been in a romantic relationship, which, according to Assistant Chief Scott Brown in a statement to Fox News Digital, adds another dimension to this complex and unsettling case.
Midlothian Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Brown told Fox News Digital that Jones and Dondlinger had a dating relationship.
Jail records from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office show Jones is being held on charges including aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, as well as two second-degree felony counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact and a first-degree felony charge of possession of child pornography involving more than 500 visual depictions.
She is being held on a $90,000 bond.
“The Midlothian Police Department extends its gratitude to the Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center for their assistance, as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Office of the Attorney General — Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and the Loving County Sheriff’s Office for their support in locating and apprehending Dondlinger,” the department said in a Facebook post, noting that the investigation is ongoing.
The Midlothian Independent School District (ISD) told CBS News that Jones is no longer employed by them and that she worked as a substitute teacher on four occasions during the past 12 months, including one day at Heritage High School on Nov. 19 and three days at Baxter Elementary School on Oct. 28–29 and Nov. 3.
The district told the outlet that it has no information at this time suggesting the allegations are connected to Jones’ work as a substitute teacher or that any incidents occurred on a district campus or during a school-related activity.
A Texas substitute teacher was arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses, including aggravated sexual assault of a child on Dec. 19, 2025. (fstop123/iStock via Getty Images Plus)
“Our district process for monitoring employee criminal history functioned as intended, and we were notified quickly by the DPS,” Midlothian ISD said in a statement. “The substitute teacher is no longer employed by MISD and the district followed its required reporting procedures with the Texas Education Agency.”
