Illinois teacher breaks down after being arrested for allegedly molesting student
Newly released bodycam footage has revealed the shock and emotional unraveling of Christina Formella, a 30-year-old Illinois school teacher who was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old student last month. The video shows Formella being pulled over during a traffic stop and taken into custody, where she has been charged with various sex crimes for engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student two years ago.
According to prosecutors, Formella is accused of sexually assaulting the boy in a classroom for a tutoring session before class began at Downers Grove South High School in December 2023. The victim’s mother discovered the alleged assault when she found inappropriate text messages on her son’s cell phone and promptly contacted the authorities.
In the bodycam footage, Formella appears confused and distressed as police ask her to exit her vehicle and subsequently arrest her. She can be heard sobbing in the back seat of a police vehicle, asking for her husband, whom she married just last year. “I feel like I’m gonna throw up,” she says in the video, continuing to cry while in custody.
Formella, who also served as a soccer coach, reportedly began tutoring the victim after he broke his collarbone. Their interactions escalated to exchanging provocative texts and FaceTime chats, ultimately leading to the alleged sexual incident in December 2023. Despite both parties acknowledging the inappropriateness of their actions, they never engaged in sexual activity again and ceased contact in February 2024.
Formella denied having sexual relations with the minor, claiming that he had gained unauthorized access to her phone and sent himself inappropriate messages to blackmail her. She expressed frustration to investigators, stating that she is often targeted due to her appearance and caring nature towards her students.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin condemned Formella’s alleged behavior, describing it as “extremely disturbing.” He emphasized that the safety and well-being of children are top priorities and vowed to hold individuals engaging in such misconduct accountable.
Formella has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She has been released from custody on the condition that she avoids entering Downers Grove South High School and refrains from contacting anyone under the age of 18. Her court appearance is scheduled for April 14, where she will be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court denied the state’s motion to detain Formella pre-trial and released her with specific conditions. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, and the government bears the burden of proving her guilt. The case continues to unfold as the legal process moves forward.
