Married Chicago teacher charged with m*lesting a 15-year-old student during a tutoring session.
A married special education teacher and soccer coach from Downers Grove South High School has been charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student, following an investigation sparked by incriminating text messages discovered by the boy’s mother.
Christina Formella, 30, was arrested Sunday and now faces serious felony charges stemming from an alleged relationship that began during a tutoring session in December 2023.
The investigation began Saturday when the 15-year-old student and his mother walked into the Downers Grove Police Station to report the abuse.
According to police, Formella, who was the boy’s soccer coach and tutor, allegedly initiated sexual contact in a classroom during a one-on-one session when she was 28. The boy, a current student at the school, was 15 at the time.
Court documents reveal how the case unraveled. The boy’s mother purchased a new phone for him after his old one broke. Upon signing into the Cloud to restore his data, she discovered a series of explicit text messages between her son and a number she recognized as Formella’s. One exchange, cited in the documents, showed the two professing their love and referencing sexual encounters:
- Student: “I love you so so much mama.”
- Formella: “I love you sooooo 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.”
Further investigation uncovered additional evidence. The student told police that he and Formella had been texting for “a year and a half” and had once FaceTimed while she was out of state. Police also found multiple mentions of the student in Formella’s phone “Notes” app, including what appeared to be personal writings about their interactions.
When confronted, Formella initially claimed the notes were an “outlet for her anxiety” and insisted any sexual references were about her husband, not the student. However, authorities deemed her explanation inconsistent with the evidence.
Formella was charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault against a minor—felonies that could carry significant prison time if she is convicted. At her initial court appearance Monday, prosecutors sought to detain her pre-trial, citing the gravity of the allegations and her access to minors. However, a judge denied the motion, releasing Formella with strict conditions: no contact with anyone under 18, no entry to Downers Grove South High School, and electronic monitoring.
The arrest has rocked the tight-knit Downers Grove community. Formella, who joined the school’s special services department in the 2020-21 school year, has been a fixture at the high school, volunteering as a soccer coach since fall 2020 and later joining the paid coaching staff for both boys’ and girls’ teams in August 2021. She has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation.
District 99 Superintendent Arwen Lyp addressed the allegations in a letter to parents and students Monday morning: “We are devastated, and our community is reeling. An adult has been charged with the most serious of violations, and trust has been broken.” Lyp confirmed the district is cooperating with law enforcement and will reach out to families of students who had direct contact with Formella. She urged anyone with information to contact school officials or Safe2Help Illinois anonymously.
The student’s identity remains protected due to his age and the nature of the allegations. Police have not indicated whether additional victims may be involved but say the investigation remains ongoing. Formella’s attorney has not yet issued a public statement, and her next court date has not been announced.
For now, the case has left parents, students, and staff grappling with shock and betrayal. “Our team is here to support students who are impacted by this terrible news,” Lyp wrote, as the community braces for the legal process ahead.
