by TChris

Daniel Scruggs couldn't take the bullying at school, so he hanged himself in his bedroom closet. He was 12.

Rather than pursuing the bullies or the school system that allowed them to torment Daniel, a Connecticut prosecutor went after Daniel's mother, Judith Scruggs. The government claimed that Daniel was targeted by bullies because of his body odor, which they contend was caused by a filthy home. Judith's lawyer says that Judith may have been a poor housekeeper, but she worked long hours supporting her family as a single mother and had little time or energy to devote to cleaning.

Judith was convicted of contributing to Daniel's suicide by creating a risk of injury. To the extent that Judith's housekeeping played any tenuous role in Daniel's death, the loss of a son should have been punishment enough.

Judith was placed on probation today, sparing her a sentence of incarceration. Her probation conditions require her to obtain counseling and perform 100 hours of community service.