Illinois Teacher Charged With Sexual Abuse of 15-Year-Old Student

Christina Formella, 30, denies allegations, claiming the student fabricated evidence as part of a blackmail scheme.

Christina Formella, a teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School, faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault.
Authorities allege that the sexual relationship began in December 2023 during a classroom tutoring session and continued until the student ended it.
Explicit text messages discovered by the victim's mother on March 15, 2025, are being used as key evidence in the investigation.
Formella denies the allegations, claiming the student accessed her phone to fabricate messages for blackmail purposes and asserting she is being unfairly targeted.
She has been released on bond with conditions, including a prohibition on contacting minors or entering school grounds, and her next court appearance is scheduled for April 14, 2025.