By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-17 23:16:55 | Updated at 2025-03-18 06:03:50
7 hours ago
A married Chicago-area special education teacher and soccer coach has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenager she was tutoring.
Christina Formella, 30, was taken into custody during a traffic stop on Sunday - just one day after the teenager and his mother went to a police station in Downers Grove to report that she sexually assaulted the then 15 year old in December 2023.
The boy had joined Formella for a tutoring session before class started at Downers Grove South High School when she allegedly assaulted him, WGNTV reports.
His mother only found out what had happened on Friday, after she bought her son a new phone and signed into his iCloud account.
She was then startled to find messages between the boy and Formella about sexual activity and even a relationship, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Herald.
Prosecutors say an ensuing investigation also turned up additional evidence corroborating the relationship, which the boy ultimately ended.
But when Formella was brought in for questioning, she denied ever having sex with the teenager and claimed 'everybody comes after her because she is good looking and she is just a good person who cared too much about [the boy],' court documents claim.
Christina Formella, 30, has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenager she was tutoring
The Chicago-area special education teacher got married to her college sweetheart in August. They are pictured here in college at Concordia University
Formella is now facing charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault against a minor
Authorities have not released any information about the alleged sexual assault, but DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin called the allegations 'extremely disturbing,' according to Fox 32.
'It is alleged that she used her position of trust and authority as a tutor and a coach to sexually assault a minor student,' he claimed, noting: 'The type of abuse and behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated.'
Formella has worked as a special education teacher at Downers Grove South High School since August 2020, and has been a volunteer soccer coach for both the boys' and girls' teams since 2021.
She married her college sweetheart in August 2024, her social media pages show.
But Formella is now facing charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault against a minor.
At an initial court appearance on Monday, a judge denied prosecutors' motion to keep her detained, and she was then released on conditions including having no contact with anyone under the age of 18 and not being allowed back into the school.
She has also been placed on paid administrative leave from her position at the school amid the investigation, according to a letter Principal Arwen Lyp sent parents.
'We are devastated and our community is reeling,' it said. 'An adult has been charged with the most serious of violations and trust has been broken.'
Formella has worked as a special education teacher at Downers Grove South High School since August 2020, and has been a volunteer soccer coach for both the boys' and girls' teams since 2021
School officials say they are cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations
'The school is now cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations, and will reach out directly to the parents of students who have had direct contact with Formella,' Lyp said.
Support will also be provided to any student who is 'impacted by this terrible news,' the principal wrote.
'We encourage anyone who needs to share concerns about safety with us,' he continued. 'You can do so anonymously at any time at Safe2Help Illinois, by contacting your student's school counselor or by contacting me directly.'
Anyone who has information about the alleged assault should also contact him, or a member of the school's administrative or counseling team immediately, he added.
