Jennings County Teen Landon Doty Found Guilty on All Counts of Raping Non-Verbal Autistic 7-Year-Old on School Bus

 

A Jennings County teenager was convicted Wednesday on all felony counts after a two-day jury trial for repeatedly sexually assaulting a non-verbal 7-year-old autistic boy on a special needs school bus last year.

Landon Doty, now 16, of North Vernon, was found guilty of 11 or 12 felony charges — accounts vary slightly by report — including multiple counts of rape, child molesting, attempted rape, attempted child molesting, sexual battery, attempted sexual battery, criminal confinement (with the victim under four years younger), and public indecency. He was tried as an adult.

The assaults allegedly occurred over several weeks in spring 2025 (primarily February to April) while Doty, then 15, sat next to the younger special needs student on the Jennings County school bus. Authorities stated that school bus surveillance video captured multiple instances of the abuse. Jurors were the only ones permitted to view the video evidence during the trial.

A classmate testified that Doty had spoken to him about the assault, though the defense challenged the timing of that statement. Doty took the stand in his own defense, claiming innocence and describing his actions as a "calming technique." His attorneys also noted that his DNA was not found on the victim.

One juvenile probation officer with 39 years of experience testified that the case was the worst he had ever encountered.

The victim is described across reports as non-verbal and autistic. The jury deliberated for a short time — less than two hours according to some accounts — before returning guilty verdicts on all counts.

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. The most serious charges, such as rape and child molesting, carry potential sentences of up to 16 years or more per count in Indiana, depending on enhancements.

This case has drawn significant attention due to the age of both the perpetrator and victim, the vulnerability of the autistic child, and the setting of a school bus intended to transport special needs students safely.