'We love Rachel and wish she would wake up': Father being sued for support by 'spoiled' daughter, 18, who claims they kicked her out says she RAN AWAY believing she 'could do better on her own'


  • For a updated and much fuller version of this story, click here
  • College-bound honors student Rachel Canning of Lincoln Park, New Jersey says she was 'abandoned' by her parents the day she turned 18
  • Rachel's father Sean Canning is a former Lincoln Park, New Jersey police chief and says his daughter is a 'spoiled' liar who left on her own
  • Sean Canning and his wife Amy have stopped paying Rachel's Catholic school tuition and now owe over $5,000
  • Rachel's friend's family are funding her lawsuit, which has thus far cost $12,500

By Will Payne

PUBLISHED: 01:55 EST, 4 March 2014 | UPDATED: 17:55 EST, 4 March 2014


The father of a New Jersey high school honors student who is suing her parents for 'abandoning' her today hit out in an emotional letter to claim she isn’t telling the whole story and that she moved out because she didn’t want to do chores or keep a curfew.

'We love our child and miss her. This is terrible. It’s killing me and my wife,' Sean Canning wrote in a post on Facebook. 'As you know, we love our children with all of our heart and soul and have placed them first in our lives since they were born. Whatever they wanted, they received. If it meant that we went without, then so be it.'

'We love Rachel and wish she would wake up. We’re not draconian and now we’re getting hauled into court. She’s demanding that we pay her bills but she doesn’t want to live at home.'

Rachel Canning has turned 18 but the rare lawsuit aims to force her parents to support her even though she’s living with a friend’s family who are shelling out thousands for her attorney fees.

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Making them pay: New Jersey high school cheerleader Rachel Canning is suing her parents claiming they kicked her out of the house on her 18th birthday and have cut her off 'financially and emotionally'

Making them pay: New Jersey high school cheerleader Rachel Canning is suing her parents claiming they kicked her out of the house on her 18th birthday and have cut her off 'financially and emotionally'

In happier times: Rachel claims her father Sean Canning was inappropriately affectionate. But a Department of Families and Children inquiry cleared him of allegations of abuse

In happier times: Rachel claims her father Sean Canning was inappropriately affectionate. But a Department of Families and Children inquiry cleared him of allegations of abuse

According to court records, Rachel Canning is arguing that she is still financially dependent on her parents.

She is an honors student and cheerleader at Morris Catholic High School in New Jersey.

In court papers, she alleges her parents abandoned her when she turned 18 years old, and are now refusing to pay for her to go to college, despite the fact she has received acceptance letters from several universities.

 

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Her father, Sean Canning has defended his actions online: 'Late last summer, what started as normal teenage parent conflict and disagreements over life, rules and other things with Rachel suddenly escalated into full blown rebellion. '

Without getting into all of the details, which may or may not be made public, there were many instances where we set limits on Rachel’s behavior, and those limits were far exceeded. 

At the end of October, she decided she could do better on her own and ran away. 

Mother and daughter: Rachel further claimed in court papers that her mother Liz called her 'porky' and that Rachel went on to suffer from bulimia. Mrs Canning said this is not true and she supported her

Mother and daughter: Rachel further claimed in court papers that her mother Liz called her 'porky' and that Rachel went on to suffer from bulimia. Mrs Canning said this is not true and she supported her

Won't pay: Rachel's retired police chief father Sean Canning denies he and his wife Amy kicked out Rachel and say she left on her own accord because she didn't want to follow his rules. He's fighting back against his daughter's financial demands

Won't pay: Rachel's retired police chief father Sean Canning denies he and his wife Amy kicked out Rachel and say she left on her own accord because she didn't want to follow his rules. He's fighting back against his daughter's financial demands

She is living at her friend’s parents’ home in another town. Since running away from our home, certain people have been 'guiding' her, thinking they are well meaning and advising her, unfortunately, with ill advice.

While they think they are helping they have not. She has been enabled. Our family has been put through hell.

Rachel, who has a $20,000 scholarship, says the University of Vermont, a private college is her first choice.

She says she didn't run away but was given the option of dumping her boyfriend or moving out.

In a lengthy Facebook post, her father continued: 'There was no abuse ever against any of my girls, mentally or physically.

'Rachel has now instituted a lawsuit against us, which the family that she is living with has fronted the funds for her.

Spoiled? Sean Canning, right, admits a state worker visited the home just prior to Rachel's, center, alleged 'abandonment,' but that the official found the teen simply to be 'spoiled'

Spoiled? Sean Canning, right, admits a state worker visited the home just prior to Rachel's, center, alleged 'abandonment,' but that the official found the teen simply to be 'spoiled'

Sean Canning and his wife Amy have stopped paying Rachel's Catholic school tuition and now owe over $5,000

Sean Canning and his wife Amy have stopped paying Rachel's Catholic school tuition and now owe over $5,000

'She is claiming every possible allegation; allegations which are simply not true. These claims are beyond hurtful.

'Although we do not owe anyone an explanation, we did want you all to know that the allegations that Rachel has claimed – amongst which include our abandoning her, as well as emotional and physical abuse – simply never happened.

'She ran away because she didn’t want to follow any rules. She stayed away because she had a place to go. That’s it.

'Bottom line. Rachel has and will always have a place in our home.'

Both sides are due in court on Tuesday. Under the law, a parent has an obligation to support their children if they can't stand on their own financially.

While her exact reason for leaving remains foggy, neither side in the Morris County, New Jersey suit is refuting that Rachel left her home in comfortable Lincoln Park sometime on or near her 18th birthday on November 1.

Sean Canning contends that his daughter Rachel left on her own accord because she was simply unwilling to follow his demands to be respectful, do her chores, and give back some of her sister's borrowed belongings

Sean Canning contends that his daughter Rachel left on her own accord because she was simply unwilling to follow his demands to be respectful, do her chores, and give back some of her sister's borrowed belongings

Rachel Canning is asking her parents for college tuition and expenses, transportation costs, legal fees, and that they cover her current unpaid Catholic school tuition

Rachel Canning is asking her parents for college tuition and expenses, transportation costs, legal fees, and that they cover her current unpaid Catholic school tuition

The father of Rachel's friend, attorney john Inglesino (pictured) says he and his wife are helping her sue her parents because without her parents, 'Rachel's ability to fulfill her potential will be greatly diminished'

The father of Rachel's friend, attorney john Inglesino (pictured) says he and his wife are helping her sue her parents because without her parents, 'Rachel's ability to fulfill her potential will be greatly diminished'

Rachel, who’s already received acceptance letters to several universities and a $20,000 scholarship offer from a New York private college, claims she was forced out of her home on her birthday after her father and mother Amy jointly decided to cut her off ‘from all support both financially and emotionally.’

‘My parents have rationalized their actions by blaming me for not following their rules,’ court papers filed on behalf of the teen claim.

‘They stopped paying my high school tuition to punish the school and me and have redirected my college fund indicating their refusal to afford me an education as a punishment.’

According to DailyRecord.com, Sean and Amy Canning owe Morris Catholic $5,306 in tuition they’ve neglected to pay since the start of the family feud.

And it’s not just because of their missing money that school administrators appear to be backing Rachel.

'Rachel has excellent grades and will not be removed from the school for this non-payment; however her parents do have a contractual obligation to pay. Rachel is certainly unable at this time to attend Morris Catholic High School full-time and support herself financially,' Morris Catholic president Michael St. Pierre wrote in a certification to the court.

St. Pierre said the school called New Jersey Child Protection and Permanency last fall after abuse allegations from Rachel and what he called ‘difficult meetings between Rachel and Mr. Canning.’

Mr. Canning admits a state worker visited the home just prior to Rachel’s alleged ‘abandonment,’ but that the official found the teen simply to be ‘spoiled’ and didn’t pursue the abuse allegations.

Just spoiled? Rachel alleged she was being abused last fall, which helped prompt officials at her school to call child protective services. But Rachel's father says the state worker only found that his daughter is 'spoiled'

Just spoiled? Rachel alleged she was being abused last fall, which helped prompt officials at her school to call child protective services. But Rachel's father says the state worker only found that his daughter is 'spoiled'

'We love our child and miss her. This is terrible. It’s killing me and my wife. We have a child we want home. We’re not draconian and now we’re getting hauled into court. She’s demanding that we pay her bills but she doesn’t want to live at home and she’s saying "I don’t want to live under your rules,"' Mr. Canning said.

Mr. Canning contends that his daughter left on her own accord because she was simply unwilling to follow his demands she be respectful, do her chores, and give back some of her sister's borrowed belongings.

'We’re heartbroken but what do you do when a child says "I don’t want your rules but I want everything under the sun and you to pay for it?”'

Mr. Canning was unavailable for comment when a call was made to his office at Mt. Olive Township Monday afternoon.

He admits that he's stopped paying Rachel's high school tuition but says she'll receive her existing college fund.

Rachel Canning
Rachel Canning

'My parents have rationalized their actions by blaming me for not following their rules,' Rachel said in court papers. The 18-year-old has offers to attend several colleges and is an accomplished cheerleader and lacrosse player who hopes to one day be a biomedical engineer

But that’s just not enough, says John Inglesino, an attorney and former local city official whose already paid $12,597 for Rachel’s lawyer Tanya N. Helfand, who claims his daughter friend is ‘emotionally distraught by her parents’ sudden rejection of her.’

‘Rachel is likeable, communicates exceptionally well and is highly motivated to attend and excel at a college appropriate for her. That is why my wife and I have decided to fund this lawsuit. We know that if Mr. and Mrs. Canning are not required to fulfil their legal obligations as parents, that Rachel’s ability to fulfil her potential will be greatly diminished,’ Inglesino wrote to the court.

Inglesino did not immediately return MailOnline's call for comment.

Rachel is demanding her parents pay her college tuition and expenses, transportation costs, cover her current high school tuition and even pay her legal fees.

Her attorney’s argument that these are all reasonable demands spin solely on the fact that 18-year-old Rachel, who says she wants to study biomedical engineering, will be a student.

Sean Canning has defended his actions against daughter Rachel and denies that she has been badly treated by him and his wife

Sean Canning has defended his actions against daughter Rachel and denies that she has been badly treated by him and his wife

Helfand says her client has not ‘moved beyond (her parents’) sphere of influence’ and per New Jersey law may be deemed non-emancipated.

‘A child’s admittance and attendance at college will overcome the rebuttable presumption that a child may be emancipated at age 18,’ reads an earlier state court decision.

But the attorney for Mr. and Mrs. Canning Laurie Rush-Masuret is claiming Rachel removed herself from that 'sphere of influence' when she voluntary left her parents' home.

Family law attorneys Sheldon Simon disagrees.

‘A child is not emancipated until they’re on their own…Even if a child and the parents don’t get along that doesn’t relieve the parents of their responsibility,’ Simon told the DailyRecord.

Simon said he's never seen anything like the lawsuit in 40 years of practice.

Judge Peter Bogaard has scheduled a the first court hearing for Tuesday in Morristown, Pennsylvania.

Forced to pay? Rachel currently attends Morris Catholic High School. her father admits he and his wife stopped paying her tuition when she moved out. The school says they're contractually obligated to pay up and have decided to allow Rachel to finish her studies

Forced to pay? Rachel currently attends Morris Catholic High School. her father admits he and his wife stopped paying her tuition when she moved out. The school says they're contractually obligated to pay up and have decided to allow Rachel to finish her studies

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You've got to b kidding me right.

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The father of her friend looks like a creep and is behaving in a very suspicious manner

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If she's that smart, she will do just fine at any school. Send her to public school. Forget sports and concentrate on studies. If it's good enough for everyone else, why isn't it good enough for her.

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If she's such a good student, send her to public school. She'll do fine there. Forget sports and concentrate on studies. If public school is good enough for everyone else, why isn't it good enough for her.

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spoilt little rich girl throwing her entitled toys out of the pram. feel so sorry for the parents. no doubt they will be forced to pick up the bill for both sides. ridiculous

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I find it strange that the parents are refusing to pay for her high school now. Also, what teenager doesn't drink, smoke and stay out late? She is an honor student and plays sports year round. It's how the parents handle their teenagers during this period that snaps the kid out of it eventually. And making scenes at school, calling your daughter fat, giving them alcohol freely than claiming their kid is alcoholic, ranting on Facebook like a child will not lead to an mature family dynamic later on. There are worse kids and worse parents but geez this family is 1st world problems dysfunctional.

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She is 18, her parents owe her nothing. I hate our government that wants it both ways, in that your an adult at 18 for some thing, and not for others such as financial aid and college.

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I can only guess what the boyfriend looks like ?

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Let's see the boyfriend I can only guess what he looks like ?

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Wonder how the press got wind of this anyway? My guess is Inglesino wants to get his name in the limelight and doesn't really care about the girl. This girl needs to be out on her own and fall flat on her face so she can appreciate all that her parents have done for her. This kid should get her lazy ass out and find a job and put her way through college the way many others have done. There are single moms who have become college graduates while taking care of their children. This story is absurd and this kid is a disgrace to the Catholic school, her parents, and her generation!

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