Disturbing New Details Revealed As Teacher Faces 52 More Counts In Student Sex Abuse Case

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Fifty-two more charges have been filed against a Downers Grove tutor accused of sexually assaulting and sexually abusing a 15-year-old student. The additional charges are linked to more than 50 sexual encounters with the student, roughly 45 of which took place at Downers Grove South High School, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office (DCSAO)

Christina Formella, 30, of the 1300 block of Hughes Avenue, had initially been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with a December 2023 incident. The additional counts are linked to " previously unknown sexual abuse and assault of the student," a news release from DCSAO said.

Formella was granted pretrial release on March 17, and was prohibited from going into Downers Grove South High School or interacting with anyone younger than 18 years old.

After her arrest in March, Formella was placed on paid administrative leave from Downers Grove South. In April, she pleaded not guilty.

At a May 20 grand jury filed 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 against Formella.

The initial charges against Formella came after the teen and his parents notified the Downers Grove Police Department of "inappropriate sexual contact," DCSAO said.

During interviews with the DuPage County Children's Advocacy Center, who are involved in the investigation, "the victim disclosed additional sexual abuse, allegedly committed by Formella," between January 2023 and August/September of 2024, according to the DCSAO.

According to DCSAO, "Formella sent the victim multiple text messages that were grooming in nature and that she and the victim had engaged in sexual acts approximately fifty times, both at the school and at Formella’s home, including at least forty-five times at the school."

“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 in a news release.

Berlin added, “I thank the victim in this case for having the courage to come forward during what I image is an extremely difficult time for him."

After the additional charges were filed, the state again petitioned for pretrial detention, but Judge Mia McPherson denied the request.

Formella is due back in court Aug. 4. She faces 60 years in prison if she's convicted, according to the Chicago Tribune.