Schaumburg gymnastics coach charged with abusing special needs students
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (FOX 32 News) - A northwest suburban gymnastics coach for children with special needs has been charged with sexually abusing students on a trip to Georgia last spring.
Patricia Hermann, 48, has been charged with sexual battery of a minor and aggravated sexual battery of a minor, according to Cobb County (Ga.) Police Sgt. Dana Pierce. The alleged abuse of two disabled girls happened on a trip to Georgia between late April and early May, authorities said.
Hermann is being held without bond at the Cook County Jail, according to Cook County sheriff’s spokeswoman Sophia Ansari. Her extradition status was not immediately known Tuesday morning.
Hermann is founder and CEO of Elite Stars, an athletic program for individuals with special needs based in northwest suburban Schaumburg, according to her biography on the Elite Stars website.
She is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and has coached in the Special Olympics, according to the biography. She founded Elite Stars in 2003.