Jackson judge orders probe into children's welfare

Blanket Jackson, Paris Jackson and Prince Jackson appear at the Michael Jackson Hand and Footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Jan. 26, 2012, in Los Angeles.

/ Getty

Updated 1:59 p.m. EDT

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - The judge overseeing the guardianship of Michael Jackson's three children said Friday he wants an independent investigation into their well-being.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff's order came as the attorney for Katherine Jackson said she will share guardianship of her son's three children in a deal that will relieve her of some of the day-to-day stresses of managing a famous family.

Pictures: Michael Jackson's children

The decision was made after a meeting between the 82-year-old Jackson family matriarch and her lawyer, Perry Sanders Jr., on Thursday. He said Michael Jackson's eldest son has told attorneys he approves of the arrangement.

The proposed arrangement could be presented to a judge next week. If approved, it would make Tito Joe "TJ" Jackson - the son of Michael's brother Tito - a co-guardian of Prince, Paris and Blanket, who range in age from 10 to 15.

"Mrs. Jackson is extremely pleased with the prospect of enjoying the pleasure of raising Michael's children without the day-to-day tedium of items such as managing the large staff that goes with such a high-profile family and focus her attention on being a grandmother and raising Michael's children," Sanders wrote in a statement.

"She is eager to simply enjoy her great relationship with these children, while deeding over some of the stressors that go hand in hand with being a guardian," he wrote.

The order followed nearly a week of turmoil in the late pop star's family, including a driveway dispute between relatives on Monday and the absence and return of their grandmother.

A judge on Wednesday suspended Katherine Jackson's guardianship duties temporarily and appointed TJ Jackson as temporary guardian. He was expected to file a petition on Friday to become the children's permanent guardian, but Sanders said that is a formality meant to abide by court orders.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff said there were no indications she had done anything wrong, and he would likely re-instate her as guardian upon her return.

Katherine Jackson had been at a Tucson, Ariz., spa since July 15 with her daughter Rebbie and other relatives and had not spoken to her grandchildren during that time.

[judgefreethekidsfamily]

Judge please look out for the children...Paris you are smart and strong no matter who goes agains you....you are right....please judge look at Drew Barrymore all the young actors and actresses their money was spent my their parents and family...got to ask a question so grandma and daughter goes to spa for 10 days..at whose expense..I as a parent would be arrested if I left my children with no supervision....I think the judge should step in and make a non family memeber guardian...one who does not gain from $$ but solely for the childrens best interest...or Paris, Prince and Blanket will be broke when they become adults....

[judgefreethekidsfamily]

Wake up judge cant u see grandma and daughter could care less about the kids...too busy at the spa for 10 days!!!! please get a non family member to over see the kids or this will go on for years and at whose expense the kids! they will be broke!