Illinois Special Education teachers claim they are accused of claiming that a 15-year-old student was abused.
30-year-old Christina Formera refused to attack the teen while attacking her after arresting him in a classroom at Downers Grove South High School in December 2023, after discovering the alleged attack through a text message on his phone.
The married teacher allegedly told investigators that a student would break into her phone and use her number to send inappropriate text messages to a “terrifying mail.”
“She claimed that one day, [the boy]grabbed my phone unattended, entered my passcode… I sent a message to his phone, deleted the message from the phone, saved it as horrifying on his phone.”
Formella, who coached soccer at school, told police that her appearance and compassion were “too much” targeted her.
“[Formella said] Because she looks good and she's a good person who cares too much. [the boy]According to court documents.
She was 28 years old at the time of the alleged incident.
The victim's mother discovered the message Friday after he bought him a new phone and linked it to his iCloud account, Dupage County prosecutor said.
She allegedly came across a text message between her son and Holmora who discussed sexual contact.
After confronting her son, they both went to the Downers Grove Police Station that day to report their allegations, and investigators said they had found additional evidence of sexual contact between the two.
Formella, who has been working as a special education teacher at the school since 2020, was arrested by a Downers Grove detective during a traffic stop on Sunday.
She denied the allegations and told police he had never had sex with a student.
Formella was charged with two counts of worsening criminal abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault.
“The allegations against Ms. Pramela are extremely unsettling,” DuPage County Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.
“She is said to have used her trust and authority status as a tutor and as a coach to sexually assault minor students. In this case, the type of abuse and behavior allegedly unacceptable.”
Prosecutors moved to continue her in custody after her arrest, but the judge denied the request.
However, she was released on the condition that she had not contacted anyone under the age of 18 and would not be able to join Downers Grove South High School.
Formella's next court appearance is scheduled for April 14th.
She later took paid administrative leave from school.
Principal Arwen Leip wrote a message to his parents on Monday, calling the school “devastated” about the allegations.
“We are devastated and our community is upset,” Lyp writes.
“Adults have been charged with the most serious offences and their trust has been broken. Our team is here to support students affected by this horrifying news.”
Formella, who married her college boyfriend in August, has been a licensed teacher since 2017.
She also volunteered as a soccer coach for both boys and girls since 2021.
