Spelling Bee Dad Accused of Abuse

The father of five home-schooled children with a knack for doing well in spelling bees was accused of abusing them when they lost. Thomas Lavery, 56, was indicted in Akron on eight felony counts and one misdemeanor count of endangering children. Marjory Lavery, now 18, told police that in 1995 family members had to physically restrain Lavery after she came in second in a national bee. Lavery also allegedly refused to let another daughter eat, sleep or use the bathroom when she finished second in a local bee this year. In another incident, he is accused of forcing a daughter to disrobe so ice could be applied to ward off any bruises from a beating.