A SPECIAL needs teacher arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old boy was caught after his mom discovered messages on his phone.
Christina Formella, 30, was arrested in Chicago, Illinois, days after one of her students told cops she had sexually abused him in classroom.
Dupage County State’s AttorneyChristina Formella, 30, was arrested Sunday for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old boy she was tutoring and coaching[/caption]
Facebook/Christina FormellaFormella married her husband in August 2024 – nine months after the alleged abuse took place[/caption]
Facebook/Christina FormellaFormella taught special education, tutored and coached soccer at Downers Grove South High[/caption]
Formella, who married her college sweetheart, taught and coached the boy soccer at Downers Grove South High School, according to prosecutors.
The abuse is alleged to have happened in a classroom before the school day started back in December 2023 – when Formella was 28.
DuPage County Attorney Robert Berlin said: “The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing.
“It is alleged that she used her position of trust and authority as a tutor and a coach to sexually assault a minor student.
“The type of abuse and behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated.”
The boy’s mom unearthed the alleged assault when she bought him a new phone and was linking it to his iCloud account on Friday.
In the process, she came allegedly across texts between her son and the teacher discussing sexual contact, and even a relationship.
The alleged “relationship” seemed to have been ended by the boy, cops said.
The shocked mum confronted her son, and they both went to Downers Grove Police Department that same day.
Police caught Formella during a traffic stop on Sunday, arrested her and charged her with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one of criminal sexual assault.
The teacher has denied the allegations, according to the court petition.
But prosecutors claimed that further evidence of sexual contact between the pair had been uncovered through an initial investigation.
Formella married her husband, who played baseball for Concordia University Chicago, where they both attended, in August 2024.
Photos posted to social media show the pair beaming beside one another.
Google MapsFormella tutored the alleged victim at Downers Grove South High School, in a Chicago suburb[/caption]
Formella has been charged with three counts relating to the abuse and released on bail
The teacher was bailed after her arrest on the condition she does not have contact with anyone under the age of 18, and does not enter the school.
She has been placed on administrative leave from her role there, according to the Daily Herald.
Downers Grove South High School principle, Arwen Lyp, sent an email round to parents updating them on the charges.
She wrote: “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.”
The statement continued: “The school is now cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the allegations, and will reach out directly to the parents of students who have had direct contact with Formella.”
According to records, Formella received her teaching licence in 2017, for language arts and as a learning behaviour specialist.
She taught in the special services department of Downers Grove since the fall of 2020, and coached boys and girls soccer there since August 2021.
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