A teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School has been charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student, prosecutorial authorities report. Christina Formella, 30, is facing charges of criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which are all considered felonies. The allegations surfaced after the student and his mother reported to police on Saturday of suspected "inappropriate sexual conduct." According to FOX 32 Chicago, the mother discovered the assault while looking through a thread of text messages on her son's phone.
Details of the alleged incident indicate that the assault occurred during a tutoring session within a classroom at the high school in December 2023. The said tutoring session was supposedly meant for educational purposes before school started. Arrested by Downers Grove police during a traffic stop on Sunday, Formella appeared in court on Monday. She has been barred from entering Downers Grove South High School and has been ordered not to make any contact with individuals under 18 years old.
In a released statement on the alleged crime, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said, "The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing." The statement, obtained by FOX 32 Chicago, elaborates on the alleged misuse of power by Formella, stating, "It is alleged that she used her position of trust and authority as a tutor and a coach to sexually assault a minor student."
Arwen Lyp, principal at Downers Grove South High School, took measures in response to the charges, placing Formella on administrative leave with pay. Lyp addressed parents via email as reported by CBS News. The principal also called for anyone with further information to step forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The school district has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement. Formella, who had been part of the school's special services department since the 2020-2021 school year and on the coaching staff for both boys and girls soccer teams since 2021, awaits her next court appearance set for April 14. The school's administrative and counseling teams have been put on alert to support students affected by this troubling development.
