An assault charge was withdrawn yesterday against Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

Mr. Harrison, 29, of Franklin Park, was charged March 8 with assaulting his girlfriend, Beth Tibbott, 30, during a domestic dispute at her Ohio Township home.

Steelers owner Dan Rooney has said the couple's dispute revolved around the linebacker's desire to take their son to be baptized, and Ms. Tibbott apparently did not want that.

At a hearing yesterday before District Judge Tara L. Smith of Bellevue, Mr. Harrison's attorney, Robert G. Del Greco Jr., said his client had completed anger management counseling and that Ms. Tibbott did not want to prosecute.

Assistant District Attorney Jacob Reinhart said before the hearing began that Mr. Harrison, "took it upon himself to comply with counseling."

The couple arrived separately for the hearing, but they exchanged friendly glances with each other in the courtroom. Mr. Del Greco said he believes they have reconciled.

Mr. Reinhart told the judge yesterday that because of the counseling and that Ms. Tibbott did not want to prosecute her boyfriend, he withdrew the charges.

There was no restitution to be considered, Mr. Reinhart said.

Mr. Harrison had been charged with striking Ms. Tibbott with an open hand at her home on March 8 during the argument. He also snatched and destroyed her cell phone as she tried to call 911, police said.

Mr. Harrison then left the residence and was driving to his Franklin Park home when he was pulled over by police and returned to the scene of the incident.

He corroborated Ms. Tibbott's version of events, according to a police affidavit.

Neither Mr. Harrison nor Ms. Tibbott commented after yesterday's brief hearing.

"The plaintiff was not opposed to the case being withdrawn," Mr. Del Greco said. "This case was treated like all other cases in this instance. She does not want him prosecuted."

The Steelers have taken no action against Mr. Harrison, the team's most valuable player last year. The team declined comment.