BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) - A July trial has been scheduled for a man accused of abusing a patient while working at the Beatrice State Developmental Center.

The Beatrice Daily Sun reports  that 37-year-old Shawn Ebeling pleaded not guilty Thursday in Gage County District Court. His trial is set to begin July 26.

Court documents say another employee of center reported that Ebeling punched a patient who'd tried to bite Ebeling on Aug. 24 and then manhandled the patient until the patient's face struck the handle of a fuse box.

Ebeling told investigators he got upset when the resident tried to bite him and he pushed "a little too hard" and the resident's head struck the fuse box handle.

The facility houses and treats disabled residents.