The New Jersey teenager who sued her parents for not paying her tuition has moved back home — but still hasn’t dropped the lawsuit, a lawyer for her parents said Wednesday.
Rachel Canning, 18, returned to the Lincoln Park home Tuesday night to “reunite with her parents and siblings,” said attorney Angelo Sarno, who represents Sean and Elizabeth Canning.
“I’m not here to comment on what the motivation is for this event. She’s just a kid, and she’s home,” Sarno said.
But while the family hashed out some of its problems — which blew up after the teen moved out last fall — the legal conflict is still “pending,” Sarno said.
“There has never been a settlement. Her return home is not contingent on any financial or other considerations.”
The Morris Catholic HS cheerleader flew the coop two days before her 18th birthday because she didn’t want to follow curfew rules or stop hanging out with a bad-influence boyfriend, her parents claim. She then moved in with attorney John Inglesino, the father of one of her friends, in October.
In late February, represented by Inglesino, she sued her parents — demanding money for private-school tuition, transportation, room and board.
On Wednesday, Sarno called the conflict “over,” noting that an agreement had been reached “amicably” — but wouldn’t comment on why the lawsuit hadn’t been withdrawn.
“At the end of the day, she’s home and we are trying to make it very clear that this is something we are happy about and not make this more of a reality TV show,” he said.
“As far as we are concerned, this is over. This is a case that should have never been. Nothing good came from this case,” Sarno said.
He added, “The precedent can not be set that kids get to do whatever they want. That’s the picture here.”
Inglesino declined to comment.
Sean Canning also declined to comment.