Teacher claims student faked texts in misconduct case

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A married Illinois special education teacher facing charges of sexually abusing her student claims she was targeted due to her physical appearance and that the alleged victim orchestrated a blackmail scheme against her.

Christina Formella, 30, faces serious allegations regarding inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old student during a tutoring session at Downers Grove South High School in December 2023. Following her arrest on Sunday, she adamantly rejected the accusations after the student’s mother discovered concerning text messages.

During police questioning, Formella presented an alternative narrative, suggesting the student had accessed her unlocked phone without permission and fabricated incriminating messages. According to court documents reviewed by Daily Mail, she maintained that the teen sent messages to himself from her device, subsequently erasing them from her phone while preserving them as potential blackmail material.

🚨 🇺🇸 SPECIAL ED TEACHER CLAIMS STUDENT "BLACKMAILED" HER AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE ARREST

Christina Formella, 30, charged with molesting her 15-year-old student at Downers Grove South High School, claims the teen broke into her phone and sent himself inappropriate texts.

The married… pic.twitter.com/PStEFC7e3R

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 19, 2025

The teacher, who also served as a soccer coach, insisted to investigators that her physical attractiveness and excessive compassion made her vulnerable to such accusations. Court documents reveal her statement that “everybody comes after her because she is good looking and she is just a good person who cared too much about [the boy].”

The investigation began when the victim’s mother connected her son’s new phone to his iCloud account, revealing messages that suggested sexual contact and a relationship that the student had terminated. The mother and son immediately reported the discovery to local authorities, who uncovered additional evidence supporting their claims.

Law enforcement apprehended Formella during a routine traffic stop, subsequently charging her with multiple counts including aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. Despite prosecutors’ attempts to keep her detained, a judge granted her release with strict conditions, including no contact with minors and prohibited access to the school campus.

Pedo's are everywhere…
A married Illinois special education teacher has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old student during a tutoring session, according to prosecutors.

Christina Formella, 30, was busted in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove Sunday — days… pic.twitter.com/976qfP7jqT

— Duke (@raoul_duke20766) March 18, 2025

“The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing,” DuPage County Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “It is alleged that she used her position of trust and authority as a tutor and a coach to sexually assault a minor student. The type of abuse and behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated.”

Principal Arwen Lyp addressed the school community, stating: “We are devastated, and our community is reeling. An adult has been charged with the most serious of violations, and trust has been broken. Our team is here to support students who are impacted by this terrible news.”

Formella, who married her college sweetheart last August and has held a teaching license since 2017, remains on paid administrative leave pending her next court appearance on April 14. She had been employed at the school since 2020 and volunteered as both boys’ and girls’ soccer coach from 2021.