Rachel Canning
New Jersey student Rachel Canning attends a hearing in her lawsuit against her parents Sean and Elizabeth Canning, in Morristown March 4, 2014. Canning who says her parents abandoned her when she turned 18 lost a first round on Tuesday in the lawsuit she filed against them for school costs and living expenses, a case that could set a precedent for a family's obligation to support a child who has left home. A family court judge denied a request by Canning of Lincoln Park, New Jersey, to have her parents temporarily resume paying her tuition and living expenses. He set another hearing date for next month. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri Reuters

Rachel Canning, the 18-year-old cheerleader who sued her parents for child support, has not only returned home, she has also dropped her lawsuit.

The American teen’s unusual case has hit global news earlier in 2014. She sued her parents, Sean and Elizabeth Canning, to force them to pay her child support, the remainder of her private school tuition fee, and her legal bills.

According to her, she was kicked out of the house when she didn’t break up with her boyfriend. Her parents said however, that Rachel moved out of the house two days before her 18th birthday because she refused to abide by their house rules.

An investigation by the Department of Children and Families has cleared Sean of claims of abuse, and Rachel’s parents argued that their daughter was just “spoiled.”

She had stayed with her best friend, whose father, John Inglesino, was reportedly the one who encouraged her to sue her own parents.

Family Division Judge Peter Bogaard had ruled that her parents didn’t have to pay her tuition fee and living expenses.

On March 12, it was announced that Rachel has moved back to her parents’ home in Lincoln Park. The Cannings’ attorney, Angelo Sarno, told reporters that the family have begun their reconciliation. Her attorney requested a court-appointed legal guardian for her, but was denied.

At that time, Rachel’s case was still pending. She claimed that although she is already 18, she wasn’t emancipated yet, and was still fully dependent on her parents for financial matters.

However, on Tuesday, Rachel has formally dropped her case, ending the bitter feud between her and her parents.

Mr Bogaard found that her decision to drop her lawsuit was a "knowing and voluntary decision,” and therefore he has ruled that the case is effectively dismissed.

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