Teacher Charged With Sex Abuse Denied Request For 'Buffer Zone' To Be Reduced: Report

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A Downers Grove teacher accused of sexually assaulting a teen student has been denied a request to decrease the buffer zone between her and the student, according to Chicago Tribune.

Per her pretrial release agreement, Christina Formella, 30, of the 1300 block of Hughes Avenue, is prohibited from going within 5,000 feet of the student she is accused of assaulting. Her attorney had requested that "buffer zone" be reduced to 2,500 feet. Chicago Tribune reports that Formella lives less than a mile from where the teen works.

Formella is accused of engaging in more than 50 sexual encounters with a 15-year-old student, roughly 45 of which took place at Downers Grove South High School, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office (DCSAO). Formella was arrested in March and placed on paid administrative leave by Community High School District 99.

She was granted pretrial on March 17, and was prohibited from going into Downers Grove South High School or interacting with anyone younger than 18 years old. Formella pleaded not guilty in April.

In June, 52 more charges were filed against Formella, The additional counts are linked to " previously unknown sexual abuse and assault of the student," per DCSAO.

After the additional charges were filed, the state again petitioned for pretrial detention, but Judge Mia McPherson denied the request. Formella is set to appear in court Aug. 4. She faces 60 years in prison if she's convicted, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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