DOWNERS GROVE, IL - On Sunday, March 16th, a special education teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School was arrested and taken into custody for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student.
According to WGN9, 30-year-old Christina Formella has been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault against a minor. At her initial court appearance, a judge denied a prosecutors' motion to detain her. Instead, she was released with conditions including no contact with anyone under 18 and no entry to the school.
An investigation began on Saturday, March 15th, after a boy, who was 15-years-old at the time, went to the police station with his mother to report alleged sexual contact committed by Formella. Police said that at the time of the incidents, she was his soccer coach and tutor.
After their investigation, police now believe that in December 2023, the boy and Formella were in a classroom for a tutoring session when the alleged sexual abuse began. At the time, the student was 15-years-old and Formella was 28-years-old. Court documents state that the boy had a broken cell phone and so his mother purchased a new one for him.
She signed into the Cloud and, at that time, text messages appeared between her son and a number the mother recognized as being Formella's. In one text message, the student and Formella professed their love. That email string is below:
Student: "I love you so much mama."
Formella: "I love you soooooo much baby ... Even though this morning was short, it was perfect."
Student: "I know baby it was perfect baby so perfect."
Formella: "I love having sex with you."
Student: "I know baby I love it so much ... It feels so good ... It's so passionate ... It's so intimate ... It's so perfect."
When questioned by investigators, court documents show that the student said he and Formella started texting "a year and a half ago" and one time, they FaceTimed while Formella was out of state. Court documents alos show that the investigation into Formella's cell phone records showed several mentions of the student in her "Notes" app.
When asked about the material by the investigators, Formella initially told police the writings were an "outlet for her anxiety" and said any reference to sex was specifically about her husband. Since her arrest, Formella has been placed on paid administrative leave. District 99 sent a message to parents and students:
"...The minor is a current DGS student. Formella has been placed on administrative leave with pay. Formella has been teaching in our special services department since the 2020-2021 school year. She was a volunteer soccer coach starting in the fall of 2020, and has been on the coaching staff for both girls and boys soccer since August 2021.
We are cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations. Additionally, we will contact families whose students have had direct contact with Formella ... We are devastated, and our community is reeling. An adult has been charged with the most serious of violations, and trust has been broken. Our team is here to support students who are impacted by this terrible news."
According to WGN9, 30-year-old Christina Formella has been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault against a minor. At her initial court appearance, a judge denied a prosecutors' motion to detain her. Instead, she was released with conditions including no contact with anyone under 18 and no entry to the school.
An investigation began on Saturday, March 15th, after a boy, who was 15-years-old at the time, went to the police station with his mother to report alleged sexual contact committed by Formella. Police said that at the time of the incidents, she was his soccer coach and tutor.
After their investigation, police now believe that in December 2023, the boy and Formella were in a classroom for a tutoring session when the alleged sexual abuse began. At the time, the student was 15-years-old and Formella was 28-years-old. Court documents state that the boy had a broken cell phone and so his mother purchased a new one for him.
She signed into the Cloud and, at that time, text messages appeared between her son and a number the mother recognized as being Formella's. In one text message, the student and Formella professed their love. That email string is below:
Student: "I love you so much mama."
Formella: "I love you soooooo much baby ... Even though this morning was short, it was perfect."
Student: "I know baby it was perfect baby so perfect."
Formella: "I love having sex with you."
Student: "I know baby I love it so much ... It feels so good ... It's so passionate ... It's so intimate ... It's so perfect."
When questioned by investigators, court documents show that the student said he and Formella started texting "a year and a half ago" and one time, they FaceTimed while Formella was out of state. Court documents alos show that the investigation into Formella's cell phone records showed several mentions of the student in her "Notes" app.
When asked about the material by the investigators, Formella initially told police the writings were an "outlet for her anxiety" and said any reference to sex was specifically about her husband. Since her arrest, Formella has been placed on paid administrative leave. District 99 sent a message to parents and students:
"...The minor is a current DGS student. Formella has been placed on administrative leave with pay. Formella has been teaching in our special services department since the 2020-2021 school year. She was a volunteer soccer coach starting in the fall of 2020, and has been on the coaching staff for both girls and boys soccer since August 2021.
We are cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations. Additionally, we will contact families whose students have had direct contact with Formella ... We are devastated, and our community is reeling. An adult has been charged with the most serious of violations, and trust has been broken. Our team is here to support students who are impacted by this terrible news."
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Comments
1 day ago | Comment by: Bruce
Times have sure changed. When I was in H.S., every male student dreamed of his hot teacher going after him. Alas, rarely fulfilled!