MERIDEN, Conn. (AP) — A mother whose 12-year-old son hanged himself in his closet was placed on probation Friday after being convicted of contributing to his suicide by keeping a filthy house.
Prosecutors said that because of the squalid conditions in Judith Scruggs' home and her own lack of attention to her son's hygiene, the boy had body odor and bad breath and became miserable when his schoolmates picked on him because of it. The mother said the bullying drove the boy, J. Daniel Scruggs, to take his life.
Scruggs' conviction on a risk-of-injury charge is believed to be the first time a parent was found guilty of contributing to a child's suicide.
Scruggs, 53, showed no emotion as she was placed on probation for five years by Superior Court Judge Stephen Frazzini.