A Connecticut mother, Judith Scruggs, was charged in 2003 of contributing to her son Daniel's suicide after she filed a suit against her son's school because they didn't protect him from bullying, which she claimed was the reason the 12-year-old (pictured) hung himself with a necktie in his closet. Judith was then put on probation for allegedly having a home environment that was damaging to the child's mental health.

This week, however, the conviction was overturned by the Connecticut Supreme Court, which seems like the right move to me, though I'm no lawyer. The horror of losing your child to suicide would be gruesome enough; to be held legally responsible for it would be unbearable, I'm guessing.

On the other hand, the first article below, from PreventSuicideNow.com makes the argument that Scruggs was, in fact, partly to blame for her son's death. It's an interesting dilemma, but I worry. Once you open the door to blaming survivors for their loved one's suicides, it's that old proverbial slippery slope.

Judith Scruggs Receives Probation for Contributing to 12-Year-Old Son’s Suicide
Conviction in son's suicide overturned