OCALA — A nurse has lost her license after abusing two dementia patients with hot sauce.

Tracie Nellis, who worked at the Williston Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, was charged in 2014 with battery on a person age 65 or older and misdemeanor battery when she put hot sauce into the mouths of two sleeping dementia patients.  The incident occurred in March of 2013.

She pleaded no contest to the battery charge and was given one year probation.  Last week the Florida Board of Nursing ruled would face further disciplinary proceedings, but could avoid them by giving up her license.

After the incident was reported, Nellis was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Florida resulting in her arrest along with another employee involved.  However, the charges were ultimately dropped.