() An Illinois teacher is facing charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student after the boy’s mother found text messages allegedly describing sexual encounters between them.

Who is Christina Formella?

Christina Formella is a 30-year-old teacher from Illinois. She was a special education teacher at Downers Grove South High School in Chicago suburb Downers Grove, where she was also a soccer coach.

She married her husband in 2024 and has claimed he was aware of the student, who she allegedly described as a “stalker.”

The alleged abuse began in December 2023 when the student was 15 and Formella was 28.

What is Christina Formella charged with?

Formella is facing two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault against a minor.

She allegedly sexually abused a 15-year-old student, who is not being identified because of his age, who she knew from the school’s soccer team.

According to reports, the boy’s mother found out about the abuse when she got a new phone for her son and signed into iCloud. She allegedly saw texts between him and Formella describing a sexual relationship.

What is the evidence against Christina Formella?

The alleged texts from the student’s phone include Formella allegedly saying that she loved the boy and allegedly texting “I love having sex with you.”

Formella reportedly told police that the boy had taken her phone during class and sent the texts from it as blackmail against her.

In the notes app on Formella’s phone, authorities allegedly found what has been described as a “memoir” of the abuse, including anger at the student and a belief that he would try to “fix things” between them.

Formella allegedly told police those notes were an outlet for her anxiety and that the only sexual activity referenced was that between her and her husband.

What comes next in the case against Christina Formella?

Formella was released from jail pending trial on the condition that she could not enter the high school or have contact with anyone under the age of 18. She was also put on administrative leave by the school.

Her next court appearance is set for April 14, 2025.