Report: Joe to Be Excluded from MJ Kids

(CBS)  A British newspaper is reporting Debbie Rowe has struck a deal with Katherine Jackson to keep Michael Jackson's children from MIchael's father, Joe Jackson.

The Daily Mail says lawyers for Rowe and Katherine Jackson met Friday for talks on how to prevent Joe from raising 12-year-old Prince Michael, 11-year-old Paris and 7-year-old Prince Michael "Blanket" II.

The deal, the paper says, would permit Katherine to raise Michael's children, as requested in the pop star's will, but Rowe would have regular access to the children, and would drop her custody claim.

A custody hearing, scheduled for Monday, was postponed a week, to July 20.

The Daily Mail says the later date will give Rowe and Katherine time to settle details of the agreement.

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The Daily Mail also cited a Sunday Mirror source who said Rowe didn't want the kids to go through what Michael did growing up.

The Sunday Mirror source added that Joe can't be kept out of their lives completely, because he still attends family functions, but they're working to prevent him from having a formal role in the Jackson the youngsters' lives.

Joe Jackson, who has been estranged from wife Katherine for five years, has reportedly been commenting on the children's ability to sing and dance, and wants them to perform together as the "Jackson 3," according to the British newspaper The Sun.

On "The Early Show" Monday, Jack Ford, anchor of the In Session Channel's "Courtside," told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith if he were the judge in the custody case, he'd be hesitant should the reports prove false and Joe is in fact, "part of the deal."

Ford said he'd be looking at what's in the best interests of the children, and with Joe's track record with Michael, Ford said he'd have some concerns.

"(If) I'm the judge, I might say, 'You know what, Katherine is the one he asked for. Joe has some problems. You have to tell me, is Joe part of this picture? Because if he is, I might look at it very differently if I'm the judge." '

Michael Jackson made allegations that Joe abused him as a child.

Ford added putting off the court date is a "smart move."

He said, "You don't want a pitched battle about custody, if you can possibly help (it)."

Ford added the attorneys for both sides should try to work something out beforehand, so the judge doesn't have complete control over the case.

"If you go into a courtroom, and obviously as attorneys, last thing you want to do is turn your case over to a judge because you lose complete control. You always try to resolve something first before you say, 'Okay, we can't do it, you figure it out." '

[cologirl55]

It would seem that people are confused-VERY confused.So many different reports. First-Michael put into place in his 2002 Will safeguards to try and keep his wishes from being challenged. Joe Jackson was NOT a part of that package-he is NOT in Michael's will. 2nd-Katherine Jackson is too old to care for a 7 year old-really! IF Janet has proven to have her head "on straight" then she and Debbie Rowe-working together-would be a better suit to the children. As for the legality of the Jackson children being Michael Jackson's - having a sperm donor is perfectly legal in certain paternity situations. Doesn't anybody think that Michael had enough legal advisors to ensure the children would be legitimately considered HIS in all areas-no matter what? I do. Michael was a bit strange (primarily because of Joe Jackson and Michael's childhood) but he was NOT stupid. All of this speculation seems a bit tiresome. A good judge will consider what is "in the best interests of the children" while honoring Michael's Will. And THAT is where the importance lies.....Joe Jackson is a non-figure in it all. If Katherine is still tied to Joe in some capacity, then I'm sure that the Judge will also take that into his/her ruling. Everyone knows, and has heard, that Joe Jackson was abusive to his children-Michael included-and in this high of a profile case, they will NOT give the children into a situation where Joe Jackson would have any input. Smarten up people! Remember Anna Nicole? Little Dani's needs were the first considered. NOT the last.

[barbaraf4]

I am not sure anyone in this family is fit to raise these children. They are a dysfunctional group used to getting their own way and riding on the edge of wealth.

I hear they think Michael was murdered. I can't think of any one other than them who would have a good motive. It is all about the money.

[denton05]

I just hope the children are placed or left where they are happy, safe, mental and emotional health as well as physical health looked after. Better make sure they have good decent doctors too. From all I can see and h ear, they should stay with their grandmother as their dad asked, let Debbie Rowe visit from time to time and allow granddad Joe only supervised visits. The saddest thing I can think of is allowing any condition to cause any of these children to fall into the emotional state their dad, Michael Jackson did. It all started with that put down, abuse from h is own father. With the whole world looking on, no excuse to repeat this same tragic error.

[scottyusa]

I agree that Joe should be kept from ruining these kid's lives like he did Michael's. We all know where his heart is. As soon as MJ died this moron puts in a pitch for his new record label in his first statement in the media. There is no doubt in my mind that he salivates just thinking what he would gain by doing the same with his own grandkids as he did with his kids.

[trapbreaking]

Ever see a more screwed up family? A doper and pedophile, and a sick abusive father. Now the kids, who don't know who their biological father really is are going to be bounced around to anybody who will fight for the estate.

.

[justsane-2009]

keeping joe away from the kids seems to be the best idea for all involved. it would also seem that they would be better off with janet, who is much younger. while there is really little doubt that they are not actually jackson's biological children, they are still his family, and as such should continue to be part of that family.

[joule18]

MJ went to the sperm bank and selected the sperm from a white donor to conceive the children. This has been reported for several days now.

[spiritwalk]

Which makes you wonder about all the speeches at the funeral about how much Jackson did for the black image in music. He seems to have gone to great lengths erasing that image from his own life.

Somebody should point out to Al Sharpton that Jackson did not choose to make his comeback at the Apollo in Harlem, but Wembley Stadium in London. That is about as much a white people's venue as you can get.

[realnews12]

joule18 - Reported where ? I do not believe this is a credible story.

[stinger1z]

His kids are likely mixed race since Michael was African-American and Debbie Rowe was white. Not strange at all. Joe is just wanting to make money off the kids and is using this moment to grab it while everyone is not looking. The man only cares about his wallet's thickness in his expensive suits. If Paris and the boys want to be in music, let them make that choice for themselves. No one should push them into it. They just lost their father, I seriously doubt they are thinking about a career right now. Unlike Joe, shameless pr-ck!!

[spiritwalk]

It is a guarantee that everyone in the family is looking. There can be no doubt that at this moment the plans are being made and the negotiations in the works to get those kids before the public.

That is not the Jackson Family, that is the Jackson Corporation and those kids are assets of the corpoation. They are not going to let assets just sit there which have such a potential to make income.

[TryTakingMyMoney]

Keep these white kids away from JOE! If given the opportunity he will turn them into freaks like Michael.

[erasmus111]

Keep these WHITE kids away from Joe????

[spiritwalk]

Keep these WHITE kids away from Joe????
by erasmus111 July 13, 2009 10:23 AM PDT

Your statement demonstrates that you are the one with the racist mindset.

[nwPA]

Does anyone else find it strange that Jackson's kids are white?