Special education teacher accused of sexually assaulting 15-year-old boy

A special education teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy at school during a tutoring session.

According to the Downers Grove Police Department, Christina Formella, 30, sexually assaulted the boy in a classroom at Downers Grove South High School during a tutoring session before school in December 2023. Formella worked there as a special education teacher and soccer coach. 

The boy’s mother discovered the alleged sexual assault when she looked through a text message thread on her son’s phone and reported it to police on March 15. 

Formella was taken into custody after a traffic stop on March 16. Her husband was with her when she was arrested.

“The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “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.

According to People, court documents show several explicit text messages between Formella and the student that discuss the details of the sexual abuse. She also allegedly wrote about the boy on her phone’s Notes app.

Formella, who is on paid leave from the school, is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. She was released after her first court appearance, on the condition that she would not have contact with anyone under 18.