16-year-old gets 54 years in prison for assault of nonverbal child on bus

NORTH VERNON, Ind. (WISH) — A 16-year-old was sentenced Monday to 54 years in prison for the 2025 sexual assault of a nonverbal 7-year-old on a school bus.

Landon Doty, 16, of North Vernon, must also serve 3.5 years of probation following his release.

In April, a jury convicted Doty of 12 charges, including rape, child molesting, and sexual battery.

The assault happened April 17, 2025. Security cameras on the bus recorded the incident, which stopped only after a bus aide confronted Doty. The bus then pulled over, and students were separated.

Court documents show a juvenile probation officer pushed for the case to move to adult court. The officer described Doty’s behavior as some of the worst he had seen, stating that adult court was necessary for public safety.