A Chicago teacher accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old pupil has been indicted on a further 52 charges.
Christina Formella, a former Downers Grove South High School teacher, was previously accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.
In March, the 30-year-old was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual assault.
Highlights
- Christina Formella, a former teacher, faces 52 new charges of sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old pupil.
- Prosecutors say Formella abused the boy around 50 times, including at least 45 times at school and more at home.
- Investigators found hundreds to thousands of text messages, including one where Formella said, 'I love having sex with you.'
Christina Formella is accused of sexually abusing and grooming one of her pupils
Image credits: DuPage County State's Attorney's Office
Prosecutors indicted her on a further 52 charges involving the same student at a court hearing on Tuesday.
Despite the allegations, Formella’s husband appears to be supporting her, with the couple photographed holding hands before her latest court appearance.
The unverified images have been shared on social media by TikToker Abby Escobar.
DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said Formella allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the boy 50 times, including at least 45 times at school and more at her home.
She is also accused of grooming the boy, with prosecutors stating the alleged sexual abuse began in January 2023 and continued until September 2024.
Image credits: DuPage County Sheriff's Office
In December 2023, the victim and Formella were in a classroom for a tutoring session before school began, when Formella sexually assaulted him.
Investigators have uncovered “hundreds if not thousands of text messages” that corroborate the boy’s claims, prosecutors said.
According to court documents, one text from Formella to the boy read: “I love having sex with you.”
“She knew what she was doing was wrong. [She is] unbelievably conniving and unbelievably controlling,” prosecutor Jaclyn McAndrew said.
The alleged abuse came to light in March of this year when the mother of the boy found a concerning text message thread with Formella on his phone.
Image credits: DuPage County Sheriff's Office
She went to the police station and reported inappropriate sexual contact allegedly committed by the boy’s soccer coach and tutor, later identified as Formella.
Following the initial charges, the boy disclosed further alleged abuse during interviews in April.
Formella has now been charged with 20 counts of criminal sexual assault, 20 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, six counts of indecent solicitation of a child, and six counts of grooming.
“The new allegations against Ms. Formella, including the allegations of grooming and that the abuse lasted nearly two years, are beyond disturbing,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.
“I thank the victim in this case for having the courage to come forward during what I imagine is an extremely difficult time for him.
“I also thank the DuPage County Children’s Center, particularly Investigator George Fencl, as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Jaclyn McAndrew and Michael Fisher for their work not only in this case but for their continued efforts protecting our children.”
Formella has denied the charges and her next court appearance is scheduled for August 4, 2025, in front of Judge Mia McPherson.