WHEATON – A former DuPage County gymnastics coach pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony battery charges in a case involving 14 young girls who accused him of assaulting them at his family’s now-closed gym and preschool in Aurora.

Michael Cardamone, 35, of Oswego pleaded guilty to seven counts each of aggravated battery and unlawful restraint in a public place, all felonies. Cardamone will not have to register as a sex offender because the judge declared the crimes were not sexually motivated, The Beacon-News in Aurora reported. However, he will have to register as a violent offender against children, according to the newspaper.

“My ultimate prayer with today’s conclusion to this case is that everyone involved can hopefully now move forward with some closure, that this horrific chapter in our lives is behind us,” Cardamone said at the hearing.