Christina Formella, a special education teacher at Downers Grove South High School, was recently taken into custody while she was driving with her husband.
She is accused of improper conduct with a 15-year-old student she had tutored and coached in soccer two years ago.
The two are said to have exchanged text messages expressing affection for each other and discussing intimate encounters that reportedly occurred in a classroom.
One of the alleged messages from Formella, who was 28 at the time, supposedly read,
“I love you sooooo much baby… Even though this morning was short, it was perfect.“
The texts were found just days before her arrest when the boy’s mother was setting up a new phone for him.
Police Arrest Formella In Presence Of Her Husband In Chicago Suburb
Formella was stopped by the police while driving with her husband in their Chicago suburb.
She seemed confused when asked to step out of the car.
The officer confirmed her identity and told her she could grab what she needed.
When she asked what she needed, her husband seemed concerned, asking if she was going somewhere.
The bodycam footage of her arrest didn’t show her husband, but his voice expressed concern.
The officer explained that she was being investigated and must be taken to the station in handcuffs.
Formella appeared visibly shaken and said she was terrified as she was handcuffed and placed in the back of the squad car.
As the car drove off, Formella asked if her husband was coming with her and expressed confusion, saying she didn’t understand what was happening.
She asked if she was in trouble, and the officers told her they could only say she was being detained for an investigation.
Christina Formella’s Husband Has Background in Consulting, Law, And Investment Banking
According to social media, Formella and her husband, a former baseball player at Concordia University, married in August 2024.
Christina Formella’s husband is a J.D. candidate at Northwestern University in Chicago and has a consulting, law, and investment banking background.
Michael has also worked at Bank of American, Accordian, and others. pic.twitter.com/LM9607ZFls
— Xtortion_Defender (@XtortionD) April 1, 2025
He has worked as a consultant in turnaround and restructuring, including roles at Midtown Educational Foundation and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
He also completed a legal internship with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Christina Formella’s maiden name is Kiotis.
- Formella was also suspended with pay from her job.
- She has worked at Downers Grove High since 2020 and received her teaching license in 2017.
