Teacher Arrested for Sexually Abusing Student, 15, After Mom Finds Texts

A special needs teacher has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old boy, with the shocking discovery made by the boy's mother, who found incriminating messages on his phone, according to prosecutors.

Christina Formella, 30, was taken into custody in Chicago, Illinois, just days after one of her students reported to the police that she had sexually abused him in the classroom. Formella, who is married to her college sweetheart, was employed at Downers Grove South High School, where she taught and coached the boy in soccer.

The alleged abuse reportedly occurred in December 2023, before the school day began, when Formella was 28 years old. DuPage County Attorney Robert Berlin expressed his concern, stating, “The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing. It is alleged that she used her position of trust and authority as a tutor and a coach to sexually assault a minor student. The type of abuse and behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated.”

The boy's mother stumbled upon the alleged misconduct when she purchased him a new phone and was linking it to his iCloud account. During this process, she discovered text messages exchanged between her son and the teacher that discussed sexual contact and hinted at a relationship. According to police, it appears that the boy had ended this "relationship."

Upon confronting her son about the messages, the shocked mother took immediate action, and they both went to the Downers Grove Police Department that same day to report the situation.

Police apprehended Formella during a traffic stop on Sunday, where she was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault. Despite the serious allegations, Formella has denied any wrongdoing, as stated in the court petition.

However, prosecutors claim that further evidence of sexual contact between the teacher and the student was uncovered during the initial investigation. Formella, who married her husband in August 2024, has a background in education, having received her teaching license in 2017 for language arts and as a learning behavior specialist.

Photos shared on social media show Formella and her husband smiling together, but the current situation has cast a shadow over their lives. Following her arrest, she was released on bail with strict conditions, including no contact with anyone under the age of 18 and a prohibition from entering the school premises.

In response to the incident, Downers Grove South High School has placed Formella on administrative leave. Principal Arwen Lyp sent an email to parents, expressing the school's devastation over the charges. She stated, “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.”

The principal's statement continued, emphasizing that the school is cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations and will reach out directly to the parents of students who had direct contact with Formella.

Formella has been a part of the special services department at Downers Grove since the fall of 2020 and has been coaching boys and girls soccer since August 2021. The community is now left grappling with the implications of these serious allegations and the impact on the students involved.

As the investigation unfolds, the school and local authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, while also addressing the concerns of parents in the community. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and communication between parents, students, and educational institutions.

With the legal proceedings still in their early stages, many are left wondering how this case will develop and what measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The community's response and the actions of the school will be crucial in navigating the aftermath of this troubling situation.