Christina Formella, an Illinois High School teacher was charged with various sexual assault allegations along with claims of having sexual relationship with a student during 2023. Now, an Illinois grand jury has filed a new indictment on 52 new charges, all of which are related to the same sexual assault case.
A video released on April 30, shows the moment when Formella was arrested by the police after being pulled over. As reported by Fox news, “Formella had been accused of sexually assaulting the boy in a classroom during a tutoring session before class began at Downers Grove South High School in December 2023. The victim’s mother discovered the alleged assault when looking through her son’s text message thread on his cellphone and then contacted police, prosecutors said.”
Formella appeared in the court on March 17 for the first time and she was charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault, Fox News further reported.
On Tuesday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin mentioned that Formella has been charged with 52 additional charges related to the same case on grounds that were previously unknown to the authorities. She was the victim’s teacher and soccer coach and during the time of the abuse, the victim was 15 years old.
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After the victim went to the Downers Grove Police Department with his parents to file his charges against Formella, an investigation was set in motion, which revealed further details about the case. The investigation included interviews with the victim, which helped the authorities to determine that the sexual assault had started in january 2023 and went on till August or September 2024.
Talking about the new findings, Berlin said, “The new allegations against Ms. Formella, including the allegations of grooming and that the abuse lasted nearly two years, are beyond disturbing. I thank the victim in this case for having the courage to come forward during what I imagine is an extremely difficult time for him.”
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He further mentioned, “I also thank the DuPage County Children’s Center, particularly Investigator George Fencl, as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Jaclyn McAndrew and Michael Fisher for their work not only in this case but for their continued efforts protecting our children.”
On Tuesday morning, Formella came to the court for a status hearing. While the State had filed a second petition to deny her pretrial release, it was denied by Judge Mia McPherson. Her next appearance date has been set on August 4.
