Ill. teacher and soccer coach accused of having sexual relationship with 15-year-old student
03/18/2025 12:01 pm PDT
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (TCN) -- A 30-year-old teacher has been arrested for allegedly having an "extremely disturbing" sexual relationship with a student when he was 15 years old.
The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and Downers Grove Police Department announced Monday, March 17, that Christina Formella was being charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. According to the statement, Formella, who was also the victim’s soccer coach, allegedly sexually assaulted the student during a tutoring session before school in December 2023. The boy and his mother reported the incident to Downers Grove Police on March 15 after she discovered text messages.
Police took Formella into custody on March 16 after conducting a traffic stop.
According to court documents cited by WGN-TV, the victim’s mother bought her son a new phone, and when she signed into iCloud, the texts appeared between the victim and Formella. In one message, the student allegedly wrote, "I love you so so much mama."
Formella reportedly responded, "I love you sooooo much baby."
She added, "Even though this morning was short, it was perfect."
The student allegedly said it was "perfect baby so perfect."
WGN reports Formella and the teen allegedly began messaging each other over a year ago, and she reportedly wrote about him in her Notes app. Formella, however, allegedly claimed the notes were an "outlet for her anxiety."
The principal at the school wrote in a letter that Formella was placed on administrative leave with pay during the investigation. She began working with the school in 2020 in the special services department and as a volunteer soccer coach. In 2021, she joined the staff for both the girls and boys soccer teams.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin called the allegations "extremely disturbing," saying, "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."
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