Teen Drops Suit Against Parents: Rachel Canning Dismisses Case Against Family

A New Jersey teen who brought a lawsuit against her parents in order to gain child support and college tuition formally dropped the case against them on Tuesday. Rachel Canning moved back into her parents' home and is working to form a new relationship with them.

Judge Peter A. Bogaard heard testimony from Rachel, stating that she wanted to dismiss the case and ruled in her favor after stating that she made a "knowing and voluntary decision." The case was then dismissed, meaning that there will be no more court cases involving the family, and Rachel will continue to live with her parents until leaving for college.

Rachel moved out of her home in November and lived with a friend whose father paid for all of her court costs. She claimed that her parents had been neglectful and were refusing to pay for her school tuition. Her parents claimed that Rachel simply refused to follow the house rules and decided to move out on her own.

The 18-year-old moved back into her parents' home on March 11, but her lawyer feared that she had been influenced by her parents to drop the lawsuit. No evidence was found to support that claim, which was dismissed. The family was due in court in April to decide whether Rachel's parents would have to pay for her college tuition, but now Rachel has dismissed that claim and the court date cancelled.

All along, Rachel's parents, Elizabeth and Sean, have claimed they only wanted what is best for their daughter and wanted her back home so they could be a family.

"As far as my clients are concerned, it's over, it's done," family lawyer Angelo Sarno said once Rachel moved home. "This is a private matter. It should never have been brought to the court's attention. It should have never been brought to the public. The Cannings want this matter behind them so they can begin the healing process with their family."