Swisher County man, girlfriend, indicted for numerous sex crimes involving 5-year-old girl A man from Swisher County and his girlfriend have been indicted on multiple charges of sexual abuse involving a 5-year-old girl in North Texas. The indictment has led to a combined bond of nearly $9 million for the two defendants. Zackery Dondlinger, 37, from Happy, was indicted on March 4 by an Ellis County grand jury on 20 counts, including possession with intent to promote child pornography, sexual performance by a child, indecency with a child through sexual contact, indecency with a child by exposure, and 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Madison Paige Jones, 30, was indicted on 19 counts, with similar charges except for one count of indecency with a child through sexual contact and four counts of indecency with a child by exposure. The alleged abuse occurred between December 5 and 17, 2025, involving a single victim. Police in Midlothian were called to investigate a potential sexual assault in December. Jones, who was a substitute teacher at the time, was arrested two days later. Dondlinger was arrested on an oil rig site about an hour west of Odessa two days before Christmas. Following the indictments, Dondlinger’s bond was raised from $200,000 to $5 million, while Jones’ bond increased from $90,000 to $3.84 million. Authorities confirmed the abuse took place over a 12-day period, with the victim being a 5-year-old girl. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the charges and the high bond amounts. Law enforcement emphasized that the alleged crimes involved prolonged and repeated sexual contact with the child, which has led to the prosecution seeking maximum penalties.#madison_paige_jones #zackery_dondlinger #swisher_county #ellis_county #midlothian
Former Substitute Teacher and Boyfriend Face 38 Child Sex Charges as Bond Nears $9 Million A former Texas substitute teacher and her boyfriend are now facing a combined 38 child sex crime charges, with their bail amounts totaling nearly $9 million. Madison Paige Jones, a former substitute teacher in the Midlothian Independent School District, and her boyfriend Zackery Dondlinger were arrested in December after Midlothian police investigated allegations involving a 5-year-old child who resided in Jones’ home. Jones’ initial bail was set at $90,000, while Dondlinger’s was initially reported at $250,000. However, after additional charges were filed earlier this month, their bail amounts increased significantly. 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 with a child involving exposure. Dondlinger is charged with one count of sexual performance by a child under the age of 14, 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact, three counts of indecency with a child involving exposure, and one felony warrant. According to court documents, Midlothian police were called to the home of a woman on December 17, 2025, who identified herself as a friend of Jones. She expressed concerns about Dondlinger’s behavior toward the 5-year-old child living in Jones’ home. The documents state that Jones allegedly told investigators Dondlinger directed her to sexually assault the child and that she carried out the acts. Jones also claimed Dondlinger had sexual fantasies involving the child.#madison_paige_jones #zackery_dondlinger #midlothian_independent_school_district #midlothian_police #5_year_old_child
Substitute Teacher and Her Boyfriend Indicted for Alleged Sexual Abuse of 5-Year-Old A substitute teacher and her boyfriend have been indicted in Texas on multiple charges of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl. Madison Paige Jones, 30, and Zackery Dondlinger, 37, face dozens of counts related to the alleged crimes, which authorities say occurred over an extended period. Jones was indicted on March 4 on 19 counts, including aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual contact with a child, and possession of child pornography. Dondlinger was indicted on the same date with 20 nearly identical charges. The indictment indicates a grand jury found sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Both suspects’ bonds were significantly raised following the indictments: Jones’ bond was set at $3.84 million, while Dondlinger’s was set at $5 million. Authorities arrested Jones on December 19, 2025, according to a media release from the Winkler County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives identified Dondlinger as a second suspect and arrested him days later at an oil rig where he worked. The pair were reportedly in a romantic relationship, and Jones was described as a substitute teacher for the Midlothian Independent School District. The case reportedly began when a woman, identified as a friend of Jones, contacted police with concerns about Dondlinger’s behavior toward a 5-year-old child in Jones’ home. The woman told investigators she was worried about Dondlinger’s alleged sexual fantasies involving the child. During police questioning, Jones allegedly confessed to sexually abusing the child at Dondlinger’s direction.#madison_paige_jones #zackery_dondlinger #winkler_county_sheriff_office #midlothian_independent_school_district #childhelp_national_child_abuse_hotline
