A married special education teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student she tutored and coached.
Christina Formella, 30, was taken into custody during a traffic stop, with police body camera footage capturing the moment officers instructed her to gather her belongings before handcuffing her in front of her husband, who remained in the passenger seat.
Key Details of the Case
- Formella allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with the student starting in December 2023.
- The victim’s mother discovered explicit text messages after accessing his iCloud account.
- Court documents reveal Formella sent messages such as, “I love you sooooo much baby… I love having sex with you.”
- The teen responded with sexually explicit texts, describing their encounters as “passionate” and “perfect.”
- Formella initially claimed her Notes app entries referencing sex were about her husband, not the student.
Legal Consequences & School Response
Formella faces two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault of a minor. A judge released her under strict conditions, including no contact with minors and a ban from school grounds.
Downers Grove South High School placed her on administrative leave, with Principal Arwen Lyp stating:
“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 impacted students.”
Broader Context: A Disturbing Trend
This arrest follows another recent case in Indiana, where a teacher was charged with sexually abusing students while forcing them to wear Scream masks. Experts warn that such incidents highlight the need for stricter safeguards in schools.
What Happens Next?
Authorities continue investigating whether there are additional victims. Parents and community members demand transparency as the case unfolds.
