A former Texas substitute teacher and her boyfriend are facing a combined 38 charges of child sexual abuse, with bonds nearing $9 million, according to authorities.
Madison Paige Jones, who previously worked as a substitute teacher in the Midlothian Independent School District, and Zackery Dondlinger were arrested in December after an investigation into allegations involving a 5-year-old child living in Jones’ home. Initially, Jones’s bond was set at $90,000, and Dondlinger’s at $250,000, but both bonds increased significantly after additional charges were filed earlier this month.
Jones faces 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, one count of possession of child pornography, two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact, and three counts of indecency involving exposure. Dondlinger faces 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, one count of sexual performance by a child under 14, two counts of indecency involving sexual contact, three counts of exposure, and a felony warrant. His bond was set at $5 million, while Jones’s bond is now $3.8 million, according to court records.
Police were called to the home of a woman on Dec. 17, who identified herself as a friend of Jones. The woman expressed concern about Dondlinger’s behavior toward a 5-year-old in Jones’s residence. Authorities allege Jones told investigators that Dondlinger directed her to abuse the child and that she carried out the acts. She also reportedly told police that Dondlinger had sexual fantasies involving the child.
Investigators seized Jones’s iPhone and iPad during a search warrant, discovering messages and recordings supporting her account. Dondlinger’s arrest included the seizure of two iPhones. Court documents indicate Jones recorded videos of the abuse and sent them to Dondlinger via Snapchat.
Jones was first arrested Dec. 19 after police began investigating a report of potential child sexual assault. Dondlinger, 37, was arrested Dec. 23 and charged with sexual performance by a child. The Midlothian Police Department confirmed that Jones and Dondlinger had been in a dating relationship and that Jones no longer works for the district. School officials stated she had worked as a substitute teacher four times in the past year and that there was no indication her alleged actions were connected to her employment or occurred on school property.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
