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A Jennings County teenager tried as an adult has been found guilty on all counts for the repeated rape and sexual assault of a non-verbal, autistic 7-year-old on a special needs school bus — a case a veteran law enforcement official described as the worst he had seen in nearly four decades of service.
Landon Doty, 16, of North Vernon, is the Jennings County Indiana Teen Accused of Raping a 7-Year-Old on a Special Needs School Bus who was convicted on April 1, 2026, following a two-day jury trial. Doty was 15 years old at the time of the alleged assaults, which occurred over several weeks in April 2025. A Jennings County Circuit Court filing determined he was "beyond rehabilitation under the juvenile justice system" and ordered him to stand trial as an adult. He was found guilty on four counts of rape, two counts of child molesting, four counts of sexual battery, criminal confinement, and public indecency. Sentencing was scheduled for April 27, 2026.
Investigators first became aware of the situation on April 17, 2025, when a school bus monitor reported seeing Doty push the alleged victim off his lap. Students were separated and the incident was reported to Jennings County Schools. A subsequent review of over 300 hours of bus surveillance footage revealed a pattern of alleged assaults captured on camera over several weeks. The prosecution relied heavily on the video evidence, which the jury was shown during trial. Doty testified in his own defense, claiming he used "calming techniques" and denied any sexual conduct. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a guilty verdict on all counts.
Notably, Doty does not have special needs. He was placed on the special needs bus after vandalizing a seat on a regular school bus. The alleged victim was assigned to sit next to him.
The day after the guilty verdict, the alleged victim's family filed a 38-page federal civil lawsuit against the Jennings County School Corporation, the bus driver, and the bus monitor. The lawsuit alleges gross negligence, violation of the child's civil rights, and failure to properly supervise and protect a vulnerable non-verbal child who depended entirely on the adults responsible for his care. Attorneys for the family stated the alleged victim was left with permanent injuries.
The factual information above was sourced from katv.com as of June 22, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a child is sexually assaulted on a school-operated vehicle, families may have significant civil legal options that extend well beyond the criminal process. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Indiana sexual abuse attorney Jeff Gibson about the civil legal avenues that may be available to families in cases involving the alleged sexual assault of a child on school transportation.
Paul Amess: Jeff, when a child is sexually assaulted on a school bus under the supervision of school employees, what civil legal options may be available to the family?
Jeff Gibson: Cases involving the alleged sexual assault of a child on school-operated transportation raise very serious questions about institutional accountability. School districts have a legal duty to ensure the safety of every student in their care — including during transportation. When a child is allegedly harmed while under the direct supervision of school employees, families may have substantial civil claims against the school corporation, the supervising staff, and any other parties whose alleged failures contributed to the harm. Claims of gross negligence and civil rights violations are among the most serious that can be brought against a public institution.
Paul Amess: In cases where surveillance footage captured the alleged conduct over an extended period, what does that mean for the civil legal landscape?
Jeff Gibson: Documented evidence of ongoing conduct over multiple weeks raises deeply important questions about whether those responsible for supervising students on that vehicle fulfilled their duty of care. When video evidence exists over an extended period, it can be central to establishing what occurred and when, and it can directly support civil claims related to failures in supervision and oversight. It is exactly the kind of evidence that civil cases of this nature rely upon.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a family in Indiana whose child was harmed while under the care of a school or school transportation system?
Jeff Gibson: Please speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Families in these situations may have significant civil rights and negligence claims available to them, and acting early is always in a family's best interest. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no family should have to navigate this process alone.
If your child was allegedly sexually assaulted, harmed, or failed by a school district, school bus staff, or any person responsible for the care of a minor in Indiana, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Indiana sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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