Suburban Gymnastics Coach Accused of Sexually Abusing Disabled Athletes

Photo credit: Elite Stars website

A coach for a suburban gymnastics company faces charges in Georgia for accusations she sexually abused two developmentally disabled athletes while attending a competition north of Atlanta earlier this year, the Daily Herald reports.

The allegations against Patricia Hermann, 48, of Schaumburg surfaced following a competition in Kennesaw, Georgia. Police said the two female athletes told their parents Hermann physically and sexually abused them between April 29 and May 3 in a hotel room while on the trip, the newspaper reports.

Hermann is charged with three counts of sexual battery of a minor and a a single count of aggravated sexual battery.

Elite Stars offers specialized training to special needs athletes in gymnastics, cheerleading and figure skating. Elite has training locations in Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Mount Prospect and Roselle.

Hermann founded Elite Stars in 2003, according to her profile on the company’s website. She has over 25 years of special needs program design and gymnastics coaching experience and has coached 5 Special Olympic World Champions, 15 National Champions and has coached hundreds of special needs gymnasts. Patty represents the USA on the Special Olympics International Gymnastics Committee.

• Sign up for the Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts