INSIDE EDITION has the story of the high school senior who sued her parents because they wouldn't pay her private school tuition. Was she a spoiled little rich kid, or were her parents being mean?
Passionate words come from a father entering a New Jersey courthouse, where believe it or not, his 18 year old daughter is suing mom and dad for tuition. The father said, “We are good parents. We have nothing to hide!”
The case is drawing national attention and strong emotions.
Matt Lauer said on the Today show, "A house divided. An 18-year-old high school student suing her own parents."
Gayle King said on CBS This Morning, "As a parent, kids have to have rules."
Honor student Rachel Canning sat expressionless through the proceedings as she sought to get her parents to pay for her tuition at a catholic high school she attends, as well as her college tuition next fall.
She claims her parents, Elizabeth and Sean, a retired Police Chief, kicked her out of their home when she turned 18 last October, a charge the parents deny, claiming their daughter ran off because she wouldn't follow the house rules.
Here is a shocking phone message Rachel left for her mom: "Hi mom, just to let you know you're a real (blanking) winner aren't you? Anyway, I (blanking) hate you and I’ve written you off so don't talk to me, don't do anything. Have a nice life. Bye mom."
Judge Bogard asked, "Have you ever in your experience seen a young adult child, whatever you want to call Rachel, show such gross disrespect for a parent?"
The judge was appalled to hear how Rachel defied her dad to go out with her boyfriend in the wee hours of the morning, saying, "The boy shows up, picks her up and they leave. Which is the proverbial F-you to the father."
Rachel's lawyer fought to get high school and college tuition paid for her client.
Her lawyer said, "These people have not called her. They have not come to see her. They have not sent a penny to her."
The judge ruled for the parents all the way, saying, "All requests, at this time, for emergent relief are denied."
Jo Frost, host of TV’s Supernanny and author of Jo Frost's Toddler Rules, can't believe such a case ever reached a courtroom and sides completely with the parents.
Frost told INSIDE EDITION, "Are you kidding me? Is this really happening in America? At the end of the day, you're living under your parents' roof. It's about respecting those rules."
The teen is living with a friend's parents. Another hearing on the case is set for April.
