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In a troubling case out of Texas, a former substitute teacher and her partner are now entangled in a legal battle, confronting a staggering total of 38 charges related to child sex crimes. Their bonds have been set at an astronomical figure, nearing $9 million combined.
The individuals at the heart of this case are Madison Paige Jones, previously a substitute teacher within the Midlothian Independent School District, and her boyfriend, Zackery Dondlinger. Their initial arrests occurred in December following a probe by Midlothian police, which was sparked by allegations connected to a 5-year-old child residing with Jones.
Initially, Jones’ bond had been set at $90,000, while Dondlinger’s was reported to be $250,000. However, with the filing of additional charges earlier this month, their bond amounts soared dramatically.
Jones is now facing a slew of charges, including 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a single count of possessing child pornography, two counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact, and an additional three counts related to indecent exposure to a child.
Madison Jones, 30, was taken into custody by the Midlothian Police Department on December 19, 2025. (Ellis County Sheriff’s Office)
Dondlinger faces 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.
Dondlinger’s bond is now set at $5 million, while Jones’ bond stands at $3.8 million.
NBC affiliate NewsChannel10 in Amarillo reported that court documents show Midlothian police were called to the home of a woman on Dec. 17 who identified herself as a friend of Jones.
Zackery Dondlinger faces several child sex crimes in Ellis County, Texas. (Ellis County Sheriff’s Office)
The woman told officers she was concerned about Dondlinger’s behavior toward a 5-year-old child who lived in Jones’ home. Jones and Dondlinger were in a relationship at the time.
According to the documents, Jones allegedly told investigators Dondlinger directed her to sexually assault the child and that she carried out the acts. The documents also state that Jones told authorities Dondlinger had sexual fantasies involving the child.
Affidavits obtained by the station say Jones described the sexual acts to investigators and told police she recorded videos of the abuse and sent them to Dondlinger through Snapchat.
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)
Investigators later seized Jones’ iPhone while executing a search warrant, and an affidavit reportedly states the phone contained a message from Dondlinger that supported Jones’ account of acting at his direction. Authorities also seized an iPad from Jones, while two iPhones were taken from Dondlinger at the time of his arrest.
Jones was first arrested Dec. 19 after police began investigating a report two days earlier of a potential child sexual assault.
Detectives later identified Dondlinger, 37, as a second suspect in the case, and he was arrested Dec. 23 and charged with sexual performance by a child, according to the Midlothian Police Department.
Midlothian police previously told Fox News Digital that Jones and Dondlinger had been in a dating relationship.
The Midlothian Independent School District said Jones is no longer employed by the district and confirmed she had worked as a substitute teacher on four occasions during the previous year. School officials also said they have no information suggesting the allegations are connected to Jones’ work or occurred on school property.