Teacher Charged With Sex Assault In Downers Pleads Not Guilty

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A woman accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student during a tutoring session at Downers Grove South High School has pleaded not guilty. Christina Formella, 30, entered a not guilty plea Monday to felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the December 2023 incident.

Formella was arrested during a traffic stop on March 16.

According to prosecutors, Formella shared text messages with the boy that were later found by his mother. The DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center began an investigation after the mother reported the alleged incident to them.

“The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement after Formella's arrest.

Community High School District 99 told Patch Formella had been placed on administrative leave.

After the charges were made public in March, Downers Grove South Principal Arwen Lyp shared the following statement with Downers Grove High School parents and staff,

Dear DGS Students and Families,

Early this morning, we learned that DGS teacher Christina Formella was arrested and detained by law enforcement yesterday afternoon. She was arraigned this morning, and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and assault with a minor. The minor is a current DGS student. Formella has been placed on administrative leave with pay.

Formella has been teaching in our special services department since the 2020-21 school year. She was a volunteer soccer coach starting in the fall of 2020, and has been on the coaching staff for both girls and boys soccer since August 2021.

We are cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations. Additionally, we will contact families whose students have had direct contact with Formella. If you have any information related to these allegations, please contact me or a member of our administrative or counseling team immediately.

We are devastated, and our community is reeling. An adult has been charged with the most serious of violations, and trust has been broken. Our team is here to support students who are impacted by this terrible news.

We encourage anyone who needs to share concerns about safety with us. You can do so anonymously at any time at Safe2Help Illinois, by contacting your student’s school counselor, or by contacting me directly.

Formella had been granted pretrial release, but is prohibited from going into Downers Grove South High School or interacting with anyone younger than 18 years old.

Court records show the case has been continued until June 17.