Christina Formella case: Scope of alleged student abuse revealed
Share and Follow

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of child abuse that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you suspect a child is being abused, find out how to report it in your state here. To connect with a counselor, you can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4253.

() The former suburban Chicago teacher accused of sexually abusing a student faces an additional 52 charges in the case, prosecutors revealed this week.

Christina Formella, 30, faced three charges two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault against a minor when authorities in March first accused her of molesting a 15-year-old boy.

In an indictment unsealed this week, Formella was hit with an additional 52 charges as authorities outlined a wider scope of the alleged abuse. The new charges include multiple counts of grooming and indecent solicitation of a child.

Prosecutors say Formella, a former special education teacher at Downers Grove South High School, molested her victim more than 45 times, both at school and inside the home she shares with her husband. 

Christina Formella (DuPage County)

Formella, who has pleaded not guilty, attended a hearing Tuesday and walked into court hand in hand with her spouse, according to Abby Escobar, true-crime digital creator known by the moniker “Abby Blabby.”

“I don’t think he had a clue the severity of what was going on until the prosecutor read everything off in the court hearing,” she told “Banfield” on Wednesday. “I think he was just as shocked as everybody else.”

Formella reportedly has accused the student of stalking her and gaining access to her phone to put incriminating information on it. Prosecutors in DuPage County sought to have her detained before trial but said the judge in the case denied their motion.

Under conditions of her release, Formella cannot go into the school where she worked, and she cannot have contact with the victim or anyone younger than 18, prosecutors said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
See inside Pope Leo's childhood home in Illinois

Take a Tour of Pope Leo’s Childhood Home in Illinois

DOLTON, Ill. (WGN) At first glance, it may not look like it,…
Flash flooding and dangerous travel conditions hit East Coast

Severe Flash Flooding and Hazardous Travel Conditions Impact the East Coast

The East Coast was slammed with torrential rain and flash flooding on…
Sycamore Gap vandals face their fate in English court for felling beloved tree

Vandals of Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree Appear in English Court for Sentencing

With one man holding a phone to capture the infamous fall of…
1995 heat wave Chicago: How deadly extreme heat event exposed deep flaws in city's emergency systems

1995 Chicago Heat Wave: How a Lethal Heat Event Revealed Major Issues in the City’s Emergency Response Systems

CHICAGO (WLS) — Thirty miles outside of Chicago, you will find a…
Mountain biker missing in Oregon, prompting search and rescue mission: authorities

Mountain biker missing in Oregon, prompting search and rescue mission: authorities

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A mountain biker was…
Federal authorities charge pair who allegedly helped ICE facility attacker escape after shooting

Federal authorities charge pair who allegedly helped ICE facility attacker escape after shooting

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Federal authorities have charged…
Brent Rooker calls out tiebreaker rule after Home Run Derby elimination

Brent Rooker Criticizes Tiebreaker Rule Following Home Run Derby Exit

Brent Rooker was not happy with the way he was bounced from…
Small plane crashes into Florida neighborhood

Florida small plane crash captured on dramatic home security video

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A small plane crash…