US police have released bodycam footage capturing the dramatic arrest of Christina Formella, a 30-year-old special education teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School. The video shows officers confronting Formella while she was sitting in her car with her husband, Michael.
Initially, Christina Formella appeared confused as an officer instructed her to exit the vehicle. When asked to gather her belongings, her husband, unaware of the situation, asked, “Is she going somewhere?” Moments later, she was placed in handcuffs and escorted to a police vehicle.
Inside the car, a visibly shaken Formella asked officers, “Am I in trouble? I’m so scared right now.” Later in the footage, she can be heard repeatedly saying, “Oh my God, oh my God,” while weeping in the back seat after learning the charges against her.
Married teacher arrested for allegedly r*pıng student, 15, has a meltdown on officer’s bodycam. Her texts to the student say, “I love having s*x with you.”
She denies it, blames her looks, and that her phone was hacked.
Do you believe her?pic.twitter.com/0cDN1mMW6c
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) April 1, 2025
Charges and Allegations
Christina Formella is accused of two charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault on a young one. The charges surfaced after the victim’s mother found explicit messages between her son and Formella and reported them to authorities.
The alleged relationship began during a class in December 2023 and lasted for nearly two years before the victim ended it.
Explicit Text Messages as Evidence
Newly released court records show that Formella and the victim sent each other texts, which are said to confirm that they were having an illegal relationship.
One message from Formella to the student reportedly read, “I love having sex with you.” In another, she wrote, “I love you sooooo much baby … Even though this morning was short, it was perfect.”
The student replied, “I know baby, it was perfect, so perfect,” followed by further messages describing their encounters in detail. These texts have been submitted as evidence in the ongoing case against her.
Teacher Claims She Was Framed
Despite the strong evidence, Christina Formella has denied all wrongdoing. She claims she is the target of blackmail and believes she is being targeted because of her attractiveness.
Court documents state that Formella accused the victim of accessing her phone without permission and sending messages to himself as a means of framing her. “Everybody comes after her because she is good-looking and she is just a good person who cared too much about [the boy],” the documents claim she said.
Discovery of Messages and Police Investigation
The victim’s mother discovered the texts after buying him a new phone. While setting it up, she entered his iCloud account and discovered the texts. She took him straight to the police station to report the alleged abuse.
After Formella’s arrest, detectives allegedly uncovered additional notes on her phone that suggested an inappropriate relationship with the student.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
After being charged, Formella was released under strict conditions, including a ban from school grounds and any contact with minors. She has now been placed on paid leave from her teaching position.
Lavish Wedding Just Nine Months Before Arrest
Christina Formella and her husband enjoyed a grandiose destination wedding on Italy’s Amalfi Coast nine months before her arrest. The couple, who met as student athletes at Concordia University, posted wedding images on social media, looking joyful and in love.
Christina Formella began her teaching career in 2020, earning her teaching licence in 2017. Her future remains uncertain while legal proceedings continue.
