Christina Formella, a former teacher at Downers Grove South High School in suburban Chicago, has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage student. Despite no longer being employed by the school, Formella’s presence is still felt as she appears three times in the school’s recently released yearbook. The 30-year-old former educator, who was married in August, was arrested in March on charges of sexual assault.
Formella voluntarily surrendered her professional educator license on June 17, as per documents from the Illinois State Board of Education. She faces 55 charges, including aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sex abuse, and grooming. If found guilty, Formella could face a sentence of up to 60 years.
The school’s 2024-25 yearbook features Formella’s headshot and group photos of her with the boys’ soccer team and JV girls’ soccer teams, which she coached. The printing of the yearbooks began in March, before Formella’s arrest, according to a school spokesperson.
Formella’s husband has remained supportive throughout her court appearances. Prosecutors allege that Formella began grooming the victim when he was 14 years old. The illicit relationship reportedly started in January 2023 and ended in September of the same year.
Investigators claim that Formella sexually assaulted the teen at least 45 times at the school, where she was a special education teacher. Additionally, she is accused of assaulting the boy five times at her home during school hours. Formella has denied the allegations, claiming she was being blackmailed by her accuser and targeted due to her attractiveness.
The school spokesperson stated that despite the charges, Formella was an employee of the school district at the time the yearbook was printed, hence her inclusion.