WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) — The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office announced that a former teacher from the west suburbs, accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student, is now facing an additional 52 charges related to the case.
Christina Formella, a 30-year-old former Downers Grove South High School teacher and soccer coach, appeared at a status hearing on Tuesday morning.
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The student, who was 15 years old at the time of the alleged misconduct, along with his parents, reported the teacher, who was also his soccer coach and tutor, to the Downers Grove Police Department on March 15.
Initially, the teacher appeared in court on March 17 facing charges of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Criminal Sexual Assault, and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse.
But she is now facing additional charges related to previously unknown sexual abuse and assault of the student, the state’s attorney’s office said.
The alleged abuse began in January 2023 and continued through August or September 2024.
During that time, Formella and the victim allegedly engaged in sexual acts at least 50 times, including at least 45 times at the school and multiple other times at her home. Formella also allegedly sent the student texts “that were grooming in nature,” the state’s attorney’s office said.
READ MORE | Downers Grove South HS teacher charged with sex abuse after teen’s mom finds explicit texts: docs
Formella is now charged with an additional 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.
A judge denied the state’s request to deny Formella pre-trial release, but she is not allowed to go to the school or contact the victim or anyone under 18 years old.
Formella’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 4.
The video in the player above is from a previous report.
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