A 30-year-old special education teacher from Illinois, Christina Formella, has been accused of molesting her 15-year-old student. She denies the allegations and claims that she was set up to be blackmailed by the alleged victim. Formella, who is married, insists that the student had broken into her phone and sent himself inappropriate text messages to blackmail her.
The incident allegedly took place while Formella was tutoring the student inside a classroom at Downers Grove South High School in December 2023. The boy’s mother discovered the alleged assault through text messages on his phone after buying him a new phone and linking it to his iCloud account. The messages between her son and Formella discussed sexual contact and even a relationship that the boy reportedly ended.
Formella, who also coached soccer at the school, told police that her looks and caring nature made her a target. She mentioned that everyone comes after her because she is good looking and cares too much about her students. Despite her denial of the allegations, Formella was arrested by Downers Grove detectives during a traffic stop on Sunday.
She has been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault. The DuPage County Attorney, Robert Berlin, expressed his dismay over the allegations, stating that the type of abuse and behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated. Formella’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 14.
Although prosecutors motioned to keep her detained following her arrest, a judge denied the request. However, Formella was released on the condition that she has no contact with anyone under 18 and will not enter Downers Grove South High School. She has been placed on paid administrative leave from the school.
Principal Arwen Lyp wrote a message to parents, expressing the school’s devastation over the allegations and ensuring support for students impacted by the news. Formella, who married her college sweetheart in August, has been a licensed teacher since 2017 and volunteered as the high school’s soccer coach for both boys and girls starting in 2021. The case continues to unfold as investigations proceed.
