A former substitute teacher has been arrested in Texas along with her boyfriend after they were accused of child sex offenses.
Madison Jones was arrested after Midlothian Police Department patrol officers were “dispatched to investigate a report of a potential sexual assault involving a child” on December 17, according to a press release from the police department shared on Wednesday, December 24.
Jones, 30, was arrested on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child, as well as “multiple additional related offenses,” according to the release.
Police and jail records state that the additional offenses include possession of more than 500 visual depictions of child pornography and two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact, according to the San Antonio Express-News, WHMI and WFAA.
Jones’ alleged boyfriend, Zackery Dondlinger, was also arrested and taken into custody by the Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, December 23. He was arrested in Loving County on a charge of sexual performance by a child in connection with the case, according to police.
“There was an allegation made that she was involved in an offense against a child and a boyfriend was involved as well,” Midlothian Assistant Chief of Police Scott Brown said in a statement to People on Monday, December 29. “She was employed in our local school district, and this has no connection with her job as a teacher. There is no nexus between her work in education in this case.”
Authorities first learned about the case when Jones’ friend called the police to report that she allegedly told her she recorded herself performing sexual acts with a 5-year-old child, according to Dondlinger’s arrest warrant affidavit viewed by People. Jones also allegedly told the friend that she sent the video to Dondlinger, 37.
After they received the tip, officers interviewed Jones and she allegedly “admitted to recording sexual videos” with the child. “Madison admitted she sent the videos to her boyfriend, Zackery, on Snapchat,” the affidavit added.
Detectives also searched Jones’ phone and allegedly found a sexually explicit message she exchanged with Dondlinger in which they referenced a child, according to the affidavit.
In light of the arrests, the Midlothian Independent School District (ISD) confirmed to People that Jones worked as a substitute teacher at Heritage High School and Baxter Elementary for a total of four days that spanned in the last 12 months. Additionally, the spokesperson confirmed that she is no longer employed by the district.
It’s not currently known if either Jones or Dondlinger have entered pleas or if they have obtained an attorney.
“The Midlothian Police Department extends its gratitude to the Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center for their assistance, as well as 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 support in locating and apprehending Dondlinger,” the department said in a Facebook post, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
Police are asking that anyone with information related to the case contact Midlothian Police Detective Dawson Frazer at (469) 672-0056.















