Father Who Bullied His Children Gets Probation
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A man who bullied his five home-schooled children to win spelling bees and other competitions apologized and was sentenced to three years of probation.
Thomas Lavery admitted to felony attempted child endangering and a misdemeanor charge.
Two of his daughters had been expected to testify that he forced his children to study for long periods without sleep or bathroom breaks.
Marjory Lavery, 19, told police that after she placed second in the National Spelling Bee in 1995, her father jumped on her and threatened to kill her.
Lavery, 57, said he can be too demanding and may have gotten carried away.
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