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An Indiana teenager has been sentenced to over 50 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old autistic student on a school bus.
Landon Doty, 16, from North Vernon, faced adult charges for repeatedly raping the non-verbal child during April 2025. The court convicted him on multiple counts, including rape, attempted rape, child molestation, attempted child molestation, sexual battery, attempted sexual battery, criminal confinement, and public indecency.
On Monday, Judge Murielle Bright handed down a 54-year sentence. Doty received 16 years for the rape charges, another 16 years for attempted rape and molestation-related offenses, 2.5 years for sexual battery charges, and additional probation sentences for criminal confinement and public indecency.
Several of the assaults were reportedly recorded on Jennings County school bus surveillance cameras. According to court records, a bus monitor observed Doty pushing the victim off his lap on April 17, 2025, prompting the bus to be stopped and the two separated. The monitor then reviewed the footage, which played a central role during the trial.
During the two-day trial, the jury viewed more than an hour of surveillance video in a closed courtroom, while the public and press were excluded. Doty’s defense argued that neither the bus driver nor the monitor witnessed any inappropriate behavior and claimed the video evidence was inconclusive. They also noted that Doty’s DNA was not found on the victim.
In testimony, Doty denied any sexual contact, stating he was merely trying to calm the child by rubbing his hair and bouncing him on his knee, describing their interaction as “messing around.” However, the jury ultimately found him guilty of the serious charges.
This case has drawn attention to the safety and supervision of vulnerable students on school transportation and highlights the importance of vigilance and thorough investigation when allegations arise.