Latest news with #DownersGroveSouthHighSchool
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Christina Formella case: What are the charges against former Downers Grove teacher
The former teacher of Downers Grove South High School, who is accused of sexually abusing a minor student, has been charged with 55 criminal counts. Christina Formella, 30, is accused of engaging in an extended, manipulative relationship with a student that allegedly began when the boy was just 14 years old. On Tuesday, she was arraigned in DuPage County Circuit Court on 52 additional charges, following the initial three counts she faced after her March arrest. ALSO READ| Christina Formella family: All on the ex-Downers Grove teacher's husband, Michael Formella The new charges include multiple counts of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, and grooming. Prosecutors say Formella used her authority and access as a teacher to create a damaging and coercive relationship with the boy, who later came forward with his mother to report the abuse to Downers Grove police. Community High School District 99 said Formella resigned from her position at the school and voluntarily surrendered her teaching license on Monday, the day before her court appearance. Prosecutor Jaclyn McAndrew told Judge Mia McPherson that the abuse lasted nearly two years and that Formella had sex with the student 'at least 45 times, including at school, during school hours and at her home.' '(Formella) knew what she was doing was wrong,' McAndrew said, adding that the former teacher 'is unbelievably conniving and unbelievably controlling.' McAndrew also told the court that Formella manipulated the boy into turning off the location tracking on his phone and made him feel guilty and ashamed about their interactions. She argued that Formella posed an ongoing threat to the victim and the community, especially since she lives near the high school. McAndrew pushed for the judge to revoke Formella's bail and detain her under Illinois' SAFE-T Act, saying, 'no conditions could mitigate the threat that Formella poses.' But Judge Mia McPherson denied that request. While she acknowledged the allegations as 'horrifying in nature,' 'shocking,' and 'appalling,' the judge concluded that the general public was not at risk and that further restrictions could be placed to protect the alleged victim. ALSO READ| Who is Christina Formella? Illinois special education teacher, 30, arrested for allegedly molesting 15-year-old student Formella is now required to wear a GPS ankle monitor, surrender her passport, and cannot leave Illinois without the court's permission. Now, if convicted, Christina Formella faces up to 60 years in prison, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Downers Grove teacher faces additional charges related to sex abuse case
A Downers Grove South High School teacher accused of sexually abusing a student faces dozens of additional charges after authorities said the alleged abuse was more widespread than initially believed. Christina Formella, 30, now faces a total of 55 counts, including multiple counts of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child and grooming, which were revealed in DuPage County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Formella initially was charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse after she was arrested by the Downers Grove Police Department in March. Formella was arraigned Tuesday on the 52 additional counts and entered a plea of not guilty. Prosecutor Jaclyn McAndrew asked that Formella be detained under the SAFE-T Act now that additional charges have been brought against her, but that request was denied. McAndrew unsuccessfully argued that Formella posed a risk to not only the student she abused but other students, noting she lives in close proximity to the high school. According to prosecutors, Formella groomed the boy when he was 14 years old, lured him into a false sense of security, suggested they had a sexual relationship and physically, emotionally, mentally and psychologically abused the child. McAndrew told the court that Formella had sex with the boy at least 45 times, including at school, during school hours and at her home. The pattern of abuse lasted almost two years, she said. '(Formella) knew what she was doing was wrong,' McAndrew said. Formella also convinced the boy to turn off his location on his cellphone and made the boy feel guilty or shamed, McAndrew said. '(Formella) is unbelievably conniving and unbelievably controlling,' McAndrew said. McAndrew said when Formella was initially granted pre-trial release in March, it was believed that it was an isolated incident. However, investigators have since discovered 'hundreds if not thousands of text messages' that corroborate the boy's side of the story, she said. McAndrew argued before the court that no conditions could mitigate the threat that Formella poses for the community or the victim. Formella was released after her first pre-trial detention hearing in March and ordered not to have any contact with the victim or children. Her attorney, Richard Kayne, argued that Formella has complied with the conditions placed upon her in March and there are no threats to anyone in the community. He said that Formella was indicted on the additional charges May 20, but they weren't unsealed until Tuesday. If Formella were a threat, then prosecutors should have made their case sooner, he said. On Tuesday, Judge Mia McPherson called the case 'horrifying in nature,' 'shocking' and 'appalling,' but she agreed that the community at large is not threatened by Formella. She said she is concerned about the boy that Formella is accused of abusing and believed there could be additional conditions placed on Formella to ensure she has no other contact with the child. As part of the judge's orders, Formella is required to have electronic monitoring software placed on her cellphones, tablets and computers and her emails and electronic communications monitored to ensure she has no contact with the boy. Formella was also ordered to wear a GPS monitor to ensure she did not go to the victim's home, school or work, McPherson said. Formella cannot leave Illinois without court permission and must surrender her passport. She is not allowed entry to Downers Grove South High School and may not have any contact with minors. Formella faces 60 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said. The boy and his mother went to the Downers Grove Police Department in March to report the inappropriate sexual conduct after the boy's mom discovered text messages on his cellphone.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Not guilty plea for Downers Grove teacher accused of sexually abusing 15-year-old boy
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (WGN) — A west suburban high school teacher accused of sexually abusing one of her students pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday. Christina Formella faces two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault against a minor following allegations involving a 15-year-old boy. According to prosecutors, the 30-year-old special education teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School traded explicit text messages with the teenage boy. Prosecutors also allege that the two had sex in December 2023 inside a classroom. Text messages released in court reveal married suburban teacher's alleged sexual assault of student The investigation began after the boy's mother allegedly discovered messages he exchanged with Formella. According to court documents obtained by WGN News, the boy's mother purchased a new cellphone to replace a broken one. When she signed into the iCloud, text messages appeared between her son and a number the mother recognized as Formella's. In one text exchange unveiled by prosecutors, the student and Formella allegedly professed their love for one another. WGN News reported that in an interview with detectives, Formella denied sexually abusing the minor, claiming 'everybody comes after her because she is good looking and she is just a good person who cared too much about (the boy).' Authorities said Formella was the boy's soccer coach and tutor at the time, according to police. Formella has been a volunteer soccer coach for both boys and girls since 2021. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines At her initial court appearance, a judge denied prosecutors' motion to detain Formella. Formella is due back in court in June following Monday's court appearance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
14-04-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Downers Grove South teacher pleads not guilty to sexual assault, abuse of student
A Downers Grove South High School teacher appeared briefly in DuPage County Circuit Court Monday, where she pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing a student. Christina Formella, 30, is charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Formella, a special education teacher who also coached soccer, was arrested last month by the Downers Grove Police Department after a student and his mother told police about the alleged abuse, which authorities say occurred when the boy was 15 years old. Formella faces four to 15 years in prison if convicted of criminal sexual assault, prosecutors Jaclyn McAndrew and Mike Fisher said. The count is not subject to probation. One of the criminal sexual abuse charges is punishable by four to 15 years in prison while the other is subject to to three to seven years in prison, prosecutors said. The abuse counts are eligible for probation. Formella would have to register on the sex offender registry if convicted on any of the three counts, McAndrew said. Formella's attorney, Todd Pugh, declined comment after the hearing. The case was continued until June 17, though Judge Mia McPherson will hold a hearing Friday to determine whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom. Cameras or video equipment of any kind, including cell phones, are typically prohibited inside DuPage courtrooms without permission. Both prosecutors and Formella's attorneys have asked McPherson to bar photographers from the courtroom after the Daily Mail Online filed a request last week. Before Monday's arraignment, the case garnered substantial public attention in traditional media and social media. As a result, the victim and his family have already suffered embarrassment in the case and object to any extended media coverage, prosecutors said in court documents. Crime victims have the right to be treated with fairness and respect and be free from harassment, intimidation and abuse throughout the criminal process, McAndrew and Fisher wrote. Formella's attorneys also objected to the Daily Mail's request saying the teacher, her family and neighbors have been repeatedly harassed by tabloid reporters seeking to sensationalize the case. Local law enforcement have had to be called numerous times since her arrest, Pugh said in court records. The presence of a photojournalist could create a heightened media spectacle that could prejudice potential jurors and the public against the defendant, Pugh wrote. The defendant has a right to a fair trial, he wrote. Formella has been granted pre-trial release while awaiting trial. According to court documents, the boy's mother learned of the alleged assault after she bought the boy a new phone to replace one that broke. After signing into iCloud, text messages began populating, and the mother noticed a text thread with a phone number and no name or photo, documents said. The boy said it belonged to Formella, according to court records. Text messages between the two were indicative of a sexual relationship, court documents said. The boy and his mother went to the Downers Grove Police Department on March 15 to report a sexual assault that allegedly occurred inside a classroom in December 2023 when the boy was 15 years old and Formella was 28, court records said. The teen was later interviewed by an investigator with the DuPage County Children's Advocacy Center, court records said. According to the boy, he last spoke with Formella in February 2024, and they both acknowledged that it was wrong, court documents said. Formella was arrested March 16. Detectives seized Formella's phone and found various diary entries in the 'Notes' app that allegedly talked about the student, according to court records. Detectives interviewed Formella, who 'adamantly denied having sex' with the teen, court documents said. Formella allegedly told detectives that 'everybody comes after her because she is good looking, and she is just a good person,' and she cared about the victim, the documents said. Formella also admitted during the interview that she knew the relationship was wrong, but she was unable to stop it because she cared about the teen so much, court documents said. During the interview, Formella also presented a narrative in which the boy was using messages to blackmail her, authorities said. Court records show that Formella claimed the boy grabbed her phone when it was unattended and typed in her passcode, which he saw her use before, sent the text messages about a sexual encounter to his phone and then deleted them from her phone. Formella claimed that she did not know that these text messages existed, the court records said. Formella also alleged that the boy was stalking her and that her husband was aware, though he told detectives that he knew nothing about this, court documents said. Formella said that any personal thoughts detailed in her phone's 'Notes' app were a way for her to process her anxiety, court records said. Any references to sex were not about the teen she told police, according to court records. Michelle Mullins is a freelancer.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Bodycam shows teacher breaking down during arrest for allegedly molesting 15-year-old student
Newly released bodycam footage shows the shock and emotional unraveling of an Illinois school teacher who was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old student last month. The video shows Christina Formella, 30, being pulled over during a traffic stop last week and being taken into custody where she's been charged with various sex crimes for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student in 2023. Formella is accused of sexually assaulting the boy in a classroom for a tutoring session before class began at Downers Grove South High School in December 2023. The victim's mother discovered the alleged assault when looking through her son's text message thread on his cell phone and then contacted police, prosecutors said. Ex-Maryland teacher to serve fraction of 30-year sentence after pleading guilty to sex with teen student In the bodycam footage, Formella seems confused when police ask her to exit her vehicle. They then arrest her and place her in the back of a police vehicle where she asks questions about her detention. Read On The Fox News App Formella can be heard sobbing in the back seat of a police vehicle and asking for her husband, her childhood sweetheart whom she married last year, per reports. "I feel like I'm gonna throw up," she said in the March 16 video and continues to cry in the back seat. Formella, who was also a soccer coach, began tutoring the alleged victim after he broke his collarbone, and they began messaging each other on a school platform, according to court documents obtained by Tmz. The pair then allegedly exchanged provocative texts, followed by FaceTime chats which led to the December 2023 sexual incident. "I love you so so much mama," the boy allegedly sent Formella in one text. "I love you sooooo much baby… Even though this morning was short, it was perfect," the teacher, then 28, allegedly responded. They both later acknowledged to each other that what they did was wrong, and they never had sex again, per the documents. They spoke for the last time in February 2024. Former Middle School Teacher Accused Of Sex Acts With Student As Police Believe There Are More Victims Formella denied having sex with the minor and claimed the student had broken into her phone and used her number to send himself inappropriate text messages to blackmail her, according to the New York Post. She reportedly told investigators that "everybody comes after her because she is good-looking and she is just a good person who cared too much about (the boy)," according to court documents obtained by Wgn. DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said the allegations against 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," Berlin said. "The safety and well-being of our children remain our highest priority, and we will take all necessary actions to ensure that anyone engaging in this type of conduct is held accountable." Formella has been charged with one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, one count of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She has been released from custody on the condition she does not enter Downers Grove South High School and does not make contact with anyone under the age of 18. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 14. The state's attorney's office said the defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government's burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. At her appearance, the Court denied the state's motion to detain Formella pre-trial and released her with conditions including no entry into Downers Grove South High School and no contact with anyone under the age of eighteen. Original article source: Bodycam shows teacher breaking down during arrest for allegedly molesting 15-year-old student
