Madison Jones, a 30-year-old substitute teacher in Midlothian, Texas, was arrested on Dec. 19 and is facing multiple felony charges, authorities said following a report received on Dec. 17. Jail records list several serious allegations, including aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography.
According to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office records, Jones is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child (a first-degree felony), two second-degree felony counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact, and a first-degree felony count for possession of child pornography involving more than 500 visual depictions. She was being held on a $90,000 bond.
Madison Jones, 30, was arrested by officers with the Midlothian Police Department on Dec. 19, 2025.
Investigators with the Midlothian Police Department later identified a second suspect in the case. Zackery Dondlinger, 37, of Happy, Texas, was arrested on Dec. 23 and charged with sexual performance by a child. Reports indicated he was being held at the Winkler County Detention Center at the time of his arrest.
Assistant Chief Scott Brown of the Midlothian Police Department told Fox News Digital that Jones and Dondlinger had been in a dating relationship. The department said the inquiry remains active as detectives continue their work.
A Texas substitute teacher was arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses, including aggravated sexual assault of a child on Dec. 19, 2025.
School District Response
The Midlothian Independent School District (ISD) confirmed that Jones is no longer employed by the district. District records show she worked as a substitute teacher on four occasions over the past 12 months: one day at Heritage High School (Nov. 19) and three days at Baxter Elementary School (Oct. 28–29 and Nov. 3).
'Our district process for monitoring employee criminal history functioned as intended, and we were notified quickly by the DPS,' the district said. 'The substitute teacher is no longer employed by MISD and the district followed its required reporting procedures with the Texas Education Agency.'
Investigation And Assistance
The Midlothian Police Department thanked the Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center and acknowledged support from 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 assistance in locating and apprehending Dondlinger. Authorities emphasized the investigation is ongoing.
Legal Note: These are allegations. The accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
