NEW YORK, July 13, 2009

Report: Joe to Be Excluded from MJ Kids

Brit Newspaper Says Debbie Rowe Won't Claim Custody if Joe Jackson Left Out of Raising Pop Icon's Children

  • Play CBS Video Video Jacksons Suggest Foul Play

    Michael Jackson's father and sister allegedly believe that the king of pop may have been murdered, Ben Tracy reports. Attorney Jack Ford discussed the custody of Jackson's children.

  • Prince Michael Jackson I, left, Paris Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II walk off stage during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.

    Prince Michael Jackson I, left, Paris Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II walk off stage during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.  (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Photo Essay Jackson's Kids Say Goodbye

    Daughter Paris gives an emotional speech when she and her brothers bid farewell at his public memorial

  • Photo Essay Tears for Michael Jackson

    At the Los Angeles memorial and around the world, fans mourn the loss of an icon

(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.


Complete coverage of Jackson's life and death




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." '

© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Add a Comment See all 33 Comments
by cologirl55 July 18, 2009 6:52 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by kiwiw July 14, 2009 7:24 AM EDT
YOU PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS.. leave Michaels kids alone i think this is the best answer for the situation. As long as joe has nothing to do with them, and Debbie Rowe doesn't want them, just more money.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 July 13, 2009 9:20 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by kiwiw July 13, 2009 5:57 PM EDT
Katherine Doesn't want Joe having anything to do with also, those ARE MICHEALS, KIDS.. amazing how some common idiots think that they know the law. Debbie would have had a hard time and she knows that also, plus she's broke.. Its a good deal the kids stay with the Family they KNOW and get to visit with MISS. Debbie b/c they don't know who the hell she is..
Reply to this comment
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 6:20 PM EDT
Considering that they have not been allowed to know there mother that shows what a poor choice the family was to begin with.

Katherine Jackson knows that Rowe does have a good claim and by aligning herself with Rowe she trumps Joe and pretty much anyone else who tries to get custody.

With Katherine controlling the money and Rowe having biological claim on 2 of the kids they have just made a corporae merger that will end up controlling Michael Jackson Enterprises.

Do not be so naive to think that the two of them decided this over coffee. Their lawyers brokered this deal and it is pretty much checkmate as far as the estate goes.
by denton05 July 13, 2009 4:58 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by scottyusa July 13, 2009 4:50 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by trapbreaking July 13, 2009 3:21 PM EDT
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.

.
Reply to this comment
by kiwiw July 14, 2009 7:26 AM EDT
Yes yours since you are a direct result of your parents being sister and brother.. no wonder your such a jerk.
by justsane-2009 July 13, 2009 2:51 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by joule18 July 13, 2009 2:17 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 2:46 PM EDT
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.
by realnews12 July 13, 2009 5:14 PM EDT
joule18 - Reported where ? I do not believe this is a credible story.
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 6:14 PM EDT
All the reports I have seen have said that his dermatologist, who was Debby Rowe's boss, was the donor.
by stinger1z July 13, 2009 1:48 PM EDT
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!!
Reply to this comment
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 2:52 PM EDT
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.
by TryTakingMyMoney July 13, 2009 12:47 PM EDT
Keep these white kids away from JOE! If given the opportunity he will turn them into freaks like Michael.
Reply to this comment
by erasmus111 July 13, 2009 1:23 PM EDT
Keep these WHITE kids away from Joe????
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 2:40 PM EDT
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.
by nwPA July 13, 2009 12:42 PM EDT
Does anyone else find it strange that Jackson's kids are white?
Reply to this comment
by eferrell2 July 13, 2009 12:35 PM EDT
Maybe Michael would have been better off if no one had known who he was. I have no doubt that he would still be alive. He had all the money and fame, but he lived a miserable life.
Reply to this comment
by blog_fever2 July 13, 2009 12:21 PM EDT
Everyone wants to make Joe out to be the bad guy, but if he hadn't done what he done, nobody would have known who Michael was. Everything in life happens for a reason.
Reply to this comment
by udontnoitall July 13, 2009 1:28 PM EDT
So if he had not abused Michael, no one would know who MJ was?? That doesn't make sense. He could have handled his career with NO physical or mental abuse and the career outcome would have been the same...probably with no hang-ups on MJ's part.
by ErrorInUse July 13, 2009 1:44 PM EDT
Oh I'd just love to beat your ass...but following your ****-eyed reasoning you'd become famous. I can't have that.
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 2:34 PM EDT
If it had not been for Hitler nobody would have known who Hermann Georing was. Whats your point?
by Henri_Rochard July 13, 2009 12:19 PM EDT
"...Debbie Rowe has struck a deal with Katherine Jackson to keep Michael Jackson?s children from MIchael's father, Joe Jackson..."

This is the first, the one, and the only thing that has made at least a modicum of sense since Jackson's death.
Reply to this comment
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 2:57 PM EDT
It makes a great deal of sense and I am sure Katherine Jackson's people are advising her to do it.

If Rowe is proved to be the biological mother of the first two she will have parental say in what happens and in aligning with her Ktherine Jackson would then be able to take most of the assets away from the people running Michael Jackson Inc.

Legally, it is a very good move at a corporate takeove.
by Illuminated1 July 13, 2009 12:10 PM EDT
I dont believe the legality of the so called MJ kids is legitimate.
MJ did not father the kids.
As far as I know, his status as father was never legally established.
It seems everyone assumed him to be the father.
This is very unusual, and suspicious.
Reply to this comment
by ErrorInUse July 13, 2009 1:43 PM EDT
Your status as a sane and rational human being has not been established either. I have to assume you are totally stupid given your post.
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 2:32 PM EDT
I think it is a very rational post. If Debby Rowe is the biological mother of the first two and it is shown that Jackson was not the biolgical father then she should have parental rights and not the Jackson family.

If Jackson did not legally adopt the children then the courts will side with the biological parent over the non-legal custodian.
by realnews12 July 13, 2009 5:08 PM EDT
Not true. Debby Rowe gave birth to the two older children while she and Michael were married. This is sufficient to establish Michael as the father. He does not have to adopt them.
by spiritwalk July 13, 2009 6:11 PM EDT
Not true. Debby Rowe gave birth to the two older children while she and Michael were married. This is sufficient to establish Michael as the father. He does not have to adopt them.
by realnews12 July 13, 2009 5:08 PM EDT

Wrong. First, children are not automatically community property in a marriage and the biological parent has main custodial rights. In the case of atrificial insemination, unless the donor waves all parental rights in perpetuity and the non-biological parent legally assumes custody they do not have legal legal standing.

In the case of the third child, where the birth mother was a surrogate where both the sperm and the egg came from supposedly unknown donors that kid is in legal limbo. More so because when Jackson registered the childs birth certificate, under Mother he put NONE. (I would like to see what would happen if anyone else would try to file that and get the clerk accept it)

Wait a few months and you are going to see that who gets the kids may turn out to be the most legally messed up part of the whole estate.
by credibility2 July 13, 2009 12:02 PM EDT
Seems like a reasonable way to resolve this initial conflict. Considering Joe Jackson's vicious and abusive methods in raising his kids, JJ should be barred from getting anyway near the kids. It's interesting that pedophiles can be prohibited from coming in contact with kids, but abusive parents like JJ are allowed free access.
Reply to this comment
See all 33 Comments

Exclusive Webshow

Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie." Watch Now

Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: