Downers Grove Teacher Faces 55 Sex Abuse Charges

Christina Formella, a former Downers Grove South High School teacher and soccer coach in Illinois, faces 52 additional felony charges—including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, and grooming—bringing her total to 55 charges related to the abuse of a 15-year-old student. The alleged abuse occurred between January 2023 and August or September 2024, with approximately 50 sexual acts, including at least 45 at the school, and began during tutoring sessions. Prosecutors say Formella groomed the victim through text messages and emotionally manipulated him. The abuse was discovered after the victim's mother found incriminating texts, leading to further investigation. Formella pleaded not guilty, and the court maintained her pretrial release with restrictions despite prosecutors' concerns for student safety. Authorities commended the victim for his courage in coming forward.