Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NJ Teen Who Is Suing Parents Goes Back Home
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 12, 2014
Modified Mar 12, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 12, 2014
Modified Mar 12, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The 18-year-old high school senior who is suing her parents has decided to return home. Rachel Canning had left her parents' house in Lincoln Park, NJ last October, and later demanded they pay her school tuition, college deposit and legal expenses associated with the lawsuit. It's unclear where the lawsuit stands, but her parents' attorney released a statement saying, "Her return home is not contingent on any financial and/or other considerations."
Rachel said her parents essentially kicked her out, alleging they are controlling and abusive (she had an eating disorder). Her lawsuit seeks to compel them to pay for tuition, plus medical and legal expenses. She went to stay with friends, and her friend's dad has been underwriting her legal fees. Meanwhile, parents Sean and Elizabeth Canning say that Rachel refuses to abide by their rules (dating a guy who is allegedly a bad influence; citing her alleged drunkenness and partying, bullying of siblings) and ran away to a friend's house, thereby emancipating herself from their guardianship. The Cannings also said that Rachel was welcome to return home—if she followed their rules.
Rachel's lawyer tried to argue that she had basically been "abandoned." However, in a hearing last week, a family court judge ruled against Rachel receiving emergency funds of $600+ a week, noting, "What kind of parents would the Cannings be if they did not discipline her? The Cannings had the right to set up rules," adding that allowing Rachel to receive the money would be a significant change to the law: "A kid could move out and then sue for an XBox, an iPhone or a 60-inch television." The judge was also horrified by a "vulgar" voicemail that Rachel left for her mother that included the immortal words "I wanna shit all over your face."
The Cannings' attorney Angelo Sarno said, "The case has received widespread national media coverage as it directly challenges the degree to which government may or may not intervene in the rules and decisions parents must inevitably make for their children in intact families."
Rachel Canning had also (allegedly) accused her parents of being spoiled baby boomers. More details will be given at a press conference today.
Update: Apparently the lawsuit is still pending. Sarno said, "There is a long road ahead. The healing needs to begin... We’re not going to talk about the merits of the case. She’s home. Respect it. Let’s not figure out what the motivation was."
Tagged
emanicipation
lawsuit
legal expenses
nj
rachel cannning
sean canning
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Published Oct 10, 2026 at 1:24 p.m. ET
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con
By
Jessica Gould
What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC
By
Karen Yi
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .