Mother plans custody fight for Jackson children
The mother of Michael Jackson’s two eldest children indicated today that she would fight for custody.
Debbie Rowe told NBC Los Angeles she was prepared to undergo DNA and psychological testing in a bid to win guardianship of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine, 11.
She said she would also seek a restraining order preventing Jackson’s father Joe from seeing his grandchildren, according to MSNLA’s website.
During a 90-minute interview with NBC LA, Rowe said: ``I want my children back.''
Rowe gave up custody to her children with Jackson after the couple divorced in 1999. But there remains debate as to whether she legally signed away full parental rights in doing so.
An appeals court found this was done in error and an out-of-court settlement was reached between Rowe and Jackson in 2006.
A custody battle could pit Rowe’s biological link with her children against their established bond with grandmother Katherine.
The pop star’s mother was granted temporary custody of Prince Michael and Paris Michael earlier this week.
The 79-year-old was also named as the children’s guardian in a 2002 will, believed to be the last written by Jackson.
But under Californian law, priority in custody battles is given to the biological parent. But a court can go against this if it thought not to be in the child’s best interest.
