A teacher at Downers Grove South High School has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage student in 2023.
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Christina Formella, 30, has been charged with one count of criminal sexual abuse, one count of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, all felonies.
Formella was a special education teacher who also coached soccer at the school. Police believe in December, 2023, the boy and Formella were in a classroom for a tutoring session when the alleged sexual abuse began. The student was 15-years-old at the time and Formella was 28-year-old.
Downers Grove police and the DuPage County state’s attorney said the boy and his mother went to police on Saturday to report alleged “inappropriate sexual conduct” by Formella.
“The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing,” said DuPage County Attorney Robert Berlin.
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“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.”
After learning of the alleged assault, Downers Grove detectives stopped Formella on Sunday and took her into custody.
Formella was granted a release from jail with conditions, including being forbidden from entering Downers Grove South High School or from contacting anyone under the age of 18.
Downers Grove South Principal Arwen Lyp said in an email to parents that Formella was placed on administrative leave with pay after she was charged.
