Fort Worth, TX – A Tarrant County jury on February 11, 2026, found Donald Dalton, 71, guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, a first-degree felony that carries a mandatory sentence of 25 to 99 years or life in prison.
Following the verdict, the jury assessed punishment at 50 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Given Dalton’s age, the sentence ensures he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
According to evidence presented at trial, the victim, a young girl, disclosed to her school counselor that Dalton, a family member, had sexually abused her repeatedly when she was between the ages of six and eight. The child specifically described incidents in which Dalton made her shower with him, during which the abuse occurred.
The school counselor immediately reported the outcry to the Fort Worth Police Department, triggering an investigation that led to Dalton’s arrest and indictment.
During the trial, prosecutors introduced additional evidence showing that Dalton had also sexually abused the victim’s mother when she was a child, establishing a pattern of predatory behavior within the family.
“This conviction and sentence reflect the jury’s recognition of the profound and lasting harm inflicted on this child and her family,” Tarrant County prosecutors stated. “We are grateful for the courage of the victim in coming forward and for the thorough work of law enforcement and our trial team in securing justice.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Brittanae Hamilton and Edward Tomlin.
