CHICAGO — A former Downers Grove South High School teacher accused of sexually abusing a student is now facing 52 new criminal charges, including aggravated sexual assault, grooming, and indecent solicitation of a child.
Christina Formella, previously charged in March, was arraigned Tuesday on 20 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, additional counts of aggravated sexual abuse, indecent solicitation, and six counts of grooming, according to court records and statements from DuPage County prosecutors.
Judge Denies Pretrial Detention Despite Severity
DuPage County Judge Mia McPherson denied the prosecutor’s motion to hold Formella in custody before trial. Despite calling the allegations “horrific in nature,” the judge ruled that the SAFE-T Act requires her to impose conditions rather than deny bail outright unless clear risk is evident.
“While this case is shocking, I do believe under the SAFE-T Act I am tied to whether there are any conditions I can set to mitigate the risk,” McPherson stated during the hearing.
As a result, Formella will remain out of jail under strict monitoring:
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Electronic monitoring software installed on all of her devices
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GPS tracking bracelet to ensure she stays away from the victim’s home, school, and workplace
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Extended Duration and New Evidence Emerges
DuPage County prosecutor Jaclyn McAndrew explained that new evidence revealed Formella began contacting the student when he was just 14, and the interactions reportedly lasted nearly two years.
McAndrew added that the abuse occurred not just at the high school but also at Formella’s residence in Downers Grove, close to the school campus.
These new allegations build on earlier charges filed in March, which originally stated that the teacher and student had intercourse in her classroom.
If convicted on all counts, Formella faces a minimum prison sentence of 60 years, McAndrew told the court.
The charges stem from what investigators call a calculated pattern of abuse, allegedly carried out under the guise of mentorship and student-teacher trust.
More on the expanded charges can be found via Daily Herald’s report.
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