Illinois Special Education teachers have been accused of having “inappropriate sexual relationships” with students.
Detectives at the Downers Grove Police Station arrested Christina Fercela, a 30-year-old married teacher at Downers Grove South High School, during a traffic stop Sunday.
“The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely intrusive.”
Formella was charged with one count of aggravated criminal abuse (class 1 felony), one count of criminal sexual assault (class 1 felony), and one count of aggravated criminal abuse (class 2 felony).
Formella was released from prison under the condition that she would not enter Downers Grove South High School and was ordered not to come into contact with anyone under the age of 18. Downers Grove is about 30 minutes southwest of Chicago.
On Saturday, the victim and his mother went to the Downers Grove Police Station to report inappropriate sexual contact.
The Downers Grove Police Department and the DuPage County Child Advocacy Center have launched an investigation into child sex offences.
Formella reportedly was a boy's soccer coach and private tutor.
At the time, when the attack occurred – December 2023 – The suspected victim was 15 years old, while Zela was 28 years old.
DuPage County State lawyers are statement “The victim and Zero were in the classroom for a tutoring session when hormones sexually assaulted the boy before school began.”
The boy ended the relationship New York Post.
The victim's mother examined her son's text messages on a mobile phone detailing alleged sexual relations, according to a DuPage County state lawyer.
Formella has been in the high school special services division since the 2020-21 academic year. She also coached boys and girls soccer.
“She is said to have used her position of trust and authority as a tutor to sexually assault minor students.”
On Monday, Don Renner, president of the Community High School District 99 School District Education Board. I said“We are victims and hundreds of students, staff, and [families] I trust this teacher and feel betrayed by this horrifying situation. Our top focus is to support [sic] The victim and his family. ”
“We are devastated, our community is shaking. Adults are being charged with the most serious offences and our trust is broken,” said Irwen Leip, principal at Downers Grove South High School.
“We are working with law enforcement to investigate the allegations. We will also contact families whose students have come into direct contact with Formella,” Lyp added.
LYP urged people with information about the case to provide anonymous tips. Safe2helpIllinois Website.
Lyp said hormones are placed on administrative leave along with their pay. Ferlera on Tuesday afternoon was still listed on the school's Downers Grove South High School staff page Website.
“The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely intrusive,” said Robert Berlin, a lawyer with Dupage County State.
“She is allegedly sexually assaulted a minor student using her trust and authority position as a tutor and coach,” Berlin added. “The types of abuse and behavior allegedly claimed in this case are not tolerated.”
Downers Grove Police Chief Michael DeBrees called the child abuse allegations “deeply related to the case.”
“The safety and well-being of our children will remain our number one priority. We will take all the necessary actions to ensure that those who engage in this type of conduct are held accountable,” Devries added.
Formella is scheduled to appear in court on April 14th.
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