Schaumburg gym coach charged with sexual battery

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The founder and coach of a suburban gymnastic organization for athletes with special needs has been charged with sexual battery.

According to authorities in Cobb County, Georgia, Patricia Hermann has been charged with three counts of sexual battery against a minor and one count of aggravated sexual battery.

Hermann is the Elite Stars founder and CEO, an athletic program for children with disabilities serving the Schaumburg area.  She is accused of abusing two girls with disabilities on the team during a gymnastic tournament in Georgia  between May 30^thand April 3^rd.

Hermann’s attorney says his client is not guilty and is almost never alone with the children

For nearly the past 8 years Anthony Gulania  has coached gymnastics under Hermann with the Elite Stars.  His sister Olivia helped coached Hermann’s figure skating team.  They both are standing behind Hermann and say they do not believe the accusations.

“I’ve worked closely with her and one on one with these kids,” Olivia said.  “I just don’t believe it.  I can’t fathom that happening.”

Hermann was arrested Saturday and is being held in the Cook County jail waiting to be extradited to Georgia.

To get more updates click:http://wgntv.com/2015/10/26/coach-charged-accused-of-sexually-abusing-special-need-athletes/