Former Teacher Christina Formella Faces 52 New Charges in Ongoing Sex Abuse Scandal

In a court hearing on Tuesday morning, Christina Formella, a 30-year-old soccer coach and former instructor at Downers Grove South High School, appeared to address her legal situation. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office disclosed that Formella, already facing charges from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old student, has now been implicated in 52 additional counts. The allegations, which surfaced after the victim and his parents reported the teacher on March 15, involve serious accusations of sexual misconduct. Initially appearing in court on March 17 for a charge of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse and other related offenses, she now faces new allegations of assault and previously undisclosed sexual abuses. Reports indicate the purported encounters spanned from January 2023 to August or September 2024, with at least 50 instances, primarily occurring at school and her residence. The state alleges she communicated with the student through “grooming” texts.