Downers Grove, Ill. — Christina Formella, a former teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School, has been indicted on 52 additional counts of sexual abuse and assault of a student, the DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin reported on Wednesday. Formella, 30, was charged with allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old student in March 2025.
Formella appeared at a status hearing on the morning of Wednesday, June 17, where the State filed a second petition denying her pretrial release. It was denied by Judge Mia McPherson. A DuPage County Jury returned a true bill against Formella on May 20, 2025 alleging twenty counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 1 Felony), six counts of Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony) and six counts of Grooming (Class 4 Felony).
On March 15, the 15-year-old victim and his parents reported inappropriate sexual contact allegedly committed by Formella, the boy’s soccer coach and tutor. Charges were filed against Formella after an investigation into the report. On March 17, Formella was charged with one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, one count of Criminal Sexual Assault and one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Following her March 17 court appearance, Formella was released pretrial. Conditions of her release deny entry into Downers Grove South High School and prohibit contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18.
On April 17, 2025, the victim and his parents went to the DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center for interviews. The victim then disclosed additional sexual abuse committed allegedly by Formella. Following investigations determined that Formella sent texts to the victim that were grooming in nature beginning January 2023 through August or September 2024. Authorities also disclosed from the investigation that Formella and the victim appeared to have engaged in sexual acts approximately fifty times, at the school and Formella’s home, including at least forty-five times at the school.
“The new allegations against Ms. Formella, including the allegations of grooming and that the abuse lasted nearly two years, are beyond disturbing,” Berlin said in a press release. “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. 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.”
Formella’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 4, 2025.
