Rae Carruth won't seek custody of son following release from prison

Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth has changed his mind about pursuing a relationship with his son once he is released from prison.

Carruth had previously stated he wished to seek custody of his son, Chancellor Lee Adams, upon his release in October, but has since decided to relinquish that pursuit, according to a letter from Carruth obtained by Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer.

"For all involved or invested in this ordeal, please calm down," Carruth wrote in his letter. "I will no longer be pursuing a relationship with Chancellor and Ms. Adams. I promise to leave them be, which I now see is in everyone’s best interest."

Related: Rae Carruth apologizes for death of pregnant girlfriend, seeks custody of son

Tiffany Shears-Trice, a family friend of Carruth as well as his power of attorney and family spokesperson, confirmed Carruth's latest statement by maintaining the 44-year-old will not intrude into his son's life, but will continue to provide for him financially.

"Rae can see Chancellor is a happy, healthy soul and he doesn’t want to interfere with that. But he will still live up to his financial responsibilities for his son - he definitely wants to do that and he will do that. He wants to help."

Carruth was convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in January 2001 after orchestrating a plot to have Cherica Adams killed while pregnant with his child. Adams died weeks later as a result of her injuries, and Chancellor, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, has been raised by his grandmother, Saundra Adams, ever since.