Illinois Teacher Charged with Sexually Abusing Student, Claims Blackmail

Christina Formella, a 30-year-old special education teacher at Downers Grove South High School in Illinois, has been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault involving a 15-year-old student. The allegations surfaced after the boy's mother discovered explicit text messages between the teacher and her son while linking his new phone to iCloud. Formella, who denies the allegations, claims she was blackmailed by the student, asserting he accessed her phone to send himself inappropriate messages. Prosecutors have indicated that there is additional evidence supporting the claims of sexual contact. Formella has been released on bail with restrictions, including no contact with minors, and has been placed on administrative leave from the school. The case highlights the serious misuse of trust by educators in positions of authority.