A former teacher previously accused of sexually abusing one of her students is facing 52 additional counts in connection with the case.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Christina Formella, 30, was arrested back in March on charges of having an inappropriate relationship with an underage boy. She was initially charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Fast-forward to May 20, when an Illinois grand jury indicted Formella on more than 20 counts of sexual assault, 20 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, six counts of indecent solicitation of a child, and six counts of grooming. The new charges were unsealed on Tuesday (June 17).
Prosecutors claimed Formella began grooming the alleged victim when he was 14 years old and continued sexually abusing him for nearly two years. Formella is accused of having sex with the teen on at least 45 different occasions. Some of those encounters allegedly occurred on campus, during school hours, and at Formella’s home.
The teen’s mother reported the inappropriate conduct to the Downers Grove Police Department in March after she discovered sexually-charged text messages between her son and the then-educator.
Video released by police in April showed officers arresting Formella as she exited her vehicle alongside her husband. Formella seemed initially confused as officers placed her in handcuffs and put into the back of a police car. After she was informed about the sexual abuse/assault charges, Formella breaks down in tears and states, "I feel like I’m gonna throw up."
Community High School District 99 later confirmed that Formella was placed on administrative leave before voluntarily surrendering her teaching license. She entered a not guilty plea during her arraignment on Tuesday.
"The new allegations against Ms. Formella, including the allegations of grooming and that the abuse lasted nearly two years, are beyond disturbing," DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said, per Fox News. "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 was released on bond following her pre-trial detention hearing in March. In addition to wearing a GPS monitor, Formella was ordered to have monitoring software installed on her electronic devices to ensure she did not communicate with the teenage victim.
Formella is scheduled to reappear in court on August 4. She faces up to 60 years in prison.