Special Education Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student Cries, Says 'I'm Gonna Throw Up' in Police Footage of Arrest

• An Illinois special education teacher broke down in tears in police footage as she was taken into custody before being accused of sexually assaulting an underage student
• “I feel like I’m gonna throw up,” the woman, who has since been identified as Christina Formella, 30, said in the clip
• The suspect is facing abuse charges after the alleged victim’s mother found a text message thread between her son and the teacher, authorities stated

An Illinois special education teacher broke down in tears as she was taken into custody in police footage before being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student.

In the clip, Christina Formella, 30, was seen exiting her and her husband’s car, as a Downers Grove police officer said, “You can just grab whatever you need.”

“Whatever I need?” she asked, as her husband questioned while in the passenger seat, “Is she going somewhere?”

“Yeah, we’re going to explain everything to you guys,” the officer insisted, before handcuffing the suspect in the clip shared by news.com.au.

“Excuse me, is my husband coming with?” Formella said as she sat in the back of the car, adding, “Am I in trouble? I am so lost right now.”

“I feel like I’m gonna throw up,” the suspect then said as an officer went to get her a bag as she hugged her knees and cried.

Authorities previously confirmed Formella’s arrest in a statement on the DuPage County website. “On March 16, 2025, Downers Grove detectives conducted a traffic stop on Formella and took her into custody,” the post read.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries then said in a March 17 update that a Downers Grove woman had “been accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student,” stating she’d been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault against a minor.

“The victim’s mother discovered the alleged assault when looking through her son’s text message thread on his cell phone,” the statement said.

Court documents previously obtained by PEOPLE showed several explicit text messages that had allegedly been sent from the married special education teacher and soccer coach to the underage student. Authorities allege the texts discuss the details of the sexual abuse.

“I love you sooooo much baby… Even though this morning was short, it was perfect,” Formella allegedly texted the 15-year-old boy.

In another alleged text, Formella wrote: “I love having sex with you,” per the documents.

Formella allegedly told police the sexual abuse started “a year and a half ago,” according to the documents previously reviewed by PEOPLE.

The teacher, who was released on bond, also allegedly wrote about the 15-year-old boy in the “Notes” app on her phone.

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Formella, who has taught in the high school’s special services department since 2020, also coached boys’ and girls’ soccer. 

“The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing,” Berlin, the state’s attorney, said. “The type of abuse and behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated.”

Formella’s next court appearance is on April 14.

The Downers Grove Police Department and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information regarding the police footage.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.