A former nursing home worker was charged with patient abuse Monday for allegedly slapping an 85-year-old hospice patient only 10 days before she died at a Stoughton nursing home.

Eric Larrabee, 23, of Beloit, allegedly slapped the woman, who had Alzheimer's disease, on Feb. 10 at Skaalen Sunset Home, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court. He had only worked there for about two months before he was fired on Feb. 12.

The woman died on Feb. 20.

The complaint states that another worker at the home heard Larrabee yell at the woman telling her to be quiet before seeing him slap her with an open hand. The woman appeared to be stunned by the blow, the complaint states.

State Department of Health Services Investigator Michelle Dutkiewicz said Larrabee admitted that he struck the woman out of frustration but said he only tapped her face.

Larrabee is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 24.