Texas Substitute Teacher and Boyfriend Charged in Horrific Child Sex Abuse Case

Couple faces 39 counts of child sex crimes against 5-year-old girl

Mar. 15, 2026 at 5:34pm

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A Texas substitute teacher named Madison Paige Jones, 30, and her boyfriend Zackery Dondlinger, 37, have been charged with a combined 39 counts of child sex crimes against a 5-year-old girl. The alleged abuse took place over a two-week period in December 2025, and the couple is being held on bonds totaling almost $9 million.

Why it matters

This disturbing case highlights the vulnerability of young children to sexual predators, even those in positions of trust like substitute teachers. It also raises concerns about the need for stronger background checks and monitoring of school personnel to protect students from such horrific abuse.

The details

According to police, Jones confessed to sexually assaulting the 5-year-old child after her boyfriend Dondlinger told her to. Jones claimed Dondlinger was having sexual fantasies about the child, and she said she sent videos of the abuse to him via Snapchat. At the time of the alleged crimes, Jones was working as a substitute teacher for the Midlothian Independent School District. Dondlinger was arrested on an oil rig an hour's drive west of Odessa, Texas.

  • The alleged abuse took place between December 5-17, 2025.
  • Jones was arrested on December 19, 2025.
  • Dondlinger was arrested on December 23, 2025.

The players

Madison Paige Jones

A 30-year-old Texas substitute teacher charged with multiple counts of child sex crimes against a 5-year-old girl.

Zackery Dondlinger

A 37-year-old man and the boyfriend of Madison Paige Jones, also charged with multiple counts of child sex crimes against a 5-year-old girl.

Midlothian Independent School District

The school district where Madison Paige Jones was employed as a substitute teacher at the time of the alleged crimes.

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What they’re saying

“We must do more to protect our children from these kinds of horrific crimes. This case is a wake-up call that we need stronger safeguards and background checks for anyone working with young students.”

— Sarah Thompson, Midlothian Parent

What’s next

The judge will decide on the couple's bail at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This disturbing case underscores the urgent need for schools and communities to be vigilant in screening and monitoring all personnel who work with children, in order to prevent such devastating abuse from occurring.