Gerrard Kaonga
Christina Formella now faces a slew of new charges after authorities discover more evidence of her alleged abuse.
Christina Formella was a former teacher at Downers Grove South High School in suburban Chicago when she engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old student.
The prosecution believe that the 30 year-old Formella engaged in over 45 sexual acts with the student, and may have even began grooming the child when he was 14.
Speaking of the allegations, prosecutor Jaclyn McAndrew said: “She knew what she was doing was wrong. [She is] is unbelievably conniving and unbelievably controlling."
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Formella now faces 55 charges in total including aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sex abuse and grooming, and, if convicted, faces up to 60 years in prison.
Despite the allegations against Formella, her husband, Michael Formella, was spotted holding hands with her as the pair walked up to DuPage County Circuit Court Tuesday with their legal team.
The images were shared online by TikTokker Abby Blabby.
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She was initially only charged with three criminal counts and following the additional charges, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.
Prosecutors have urged the judge to revoke Formella’s bail, as she faces these new charges, and lock her up, however, the judge opted to giving her an ankle monitor and allowing her freedom.
Formella is accused of grooming the teen before engaging in sexual acts with him, including at least 45 times at the school where she was a special education teacher.
The prosecution also said she had sex with the boy at least fives times at her home during school hours.
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The pair’s interaction began in January 2023, and only ended in September 2024 because the boy said it was wrong, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
The prosecution said that texts between the two showed that Formella brought up her husband multiple times, and said she had no intention of marrying him. The couple did end up getting married last summer, and the prosecution added the husband had no clue about the alleged affair.
Authorities have said that they initially believed the allged crimes were more limited in scope and only uncovered more potential illegal activity after going through ‘hundreds if not thousands’ of texts.
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These texts helped corroborate the claims made by the victim.
While the judge said the former teacher could remain free, as long as having a ankle monitor, there has been monitoring software placed on her electronics.