Custody Debate May Center on Jackson Women

(CBS)  The custody hearing for Michael Jackson's three children has been delayed two more weeks, but the speculation over who will raise the pop star's kids is being hotly debated, with the Jackson women at center stage.

CBS News correspondent Hattie Kauffman reported on "The Early Show" Monday that Janet Jackson, Michael's sister, Katherine, his mother, and Rebbie Jackson, Michael's older sister, have joined forces.

"These women have taken such a big role with these children," said Melanie Bromley, of Us magazine. "Katherine is wonderful with them, she's looking after them. She's the primary kind of caregiver at the moment. Rebbie has also brought up children herself. She's a very good mother."

But what about Janet?

"Inside Edition" 's Jim Moret told Kauffman the superstar singer would raise the children if they want her to.

Bromley said Janet was very close to Michael, and "it's important for her to be there for the children."

Bromley added, "(Jackson) has to be a strong woman to the children, a mother figure to the children that Jackson has left behind."

Complete coverage of Jackson's life and death

But it's an especially tough time for Janet now, Kauffman reported. Along with losing her brother, the singer recently split with her long-time boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri.

But would the children be better off being raised by someone who's stayed largely out of the spotlight, and has already raised children?

Rebbie, Michael's older sister, and her husband, are well-suited to raise Jackson's three children for those reasons, according to Rebbie's former manager, Bruce Kramer. Kramer managed Rebbie during her short-lived recording career.

"(Rebbie) didn't have any of the Jacksons trappings that you think of when you think of the Jacksons. She was special," he said. " …(Rebbie and her husband) are great parents, and I think that's what those children need right now, people who have a history of it, and have done it, and will do it again, if given that opportunity."

Michael's kids, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, and Prince Michael Jackson II, known as Blanket, have been staying at the Jackson family home in Encino, Calif., with Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson, as called for in Michael's will.

[marianmi]

These 3 precious children are The King's Dearests on this earth,He did every thing for them and was the Best Father . He raised them with his Pure Love and protected them fom Tabloids whom made his own life a living Hell,He tought his children the most important things in life , He gave them Unconditional Love and Beautiful and Fantastic Childhood that himself could never experience , he will be forever The Best Father in their lives and nobody can take his place in their lives,I hope whoever get the custody of these precious Children ,keep them far,faraway from Jo Jackson ,He is a Sick Person and abused Michael alot,Michael never wanted his Children experience what he had to experience,and with all respect to Katherine Jackson I should say that she could not Protect Michael from his Father's abuse,and always said that she Loves/ed his husband alot,more than anything,she heard how much Michael was in pain from her husband But she Still love him and live with him,please do not do the same with these precious little ones,Remember Michael's Pains and Sorrows,the Other thing is that she is a DEVOUTED JW BUT Michael was a true Christian and not a JW since 1987,WOULD she accept this fact or not?it is very important,Christmas and Exchanging Gifts and having Personal relationship with Jeses was a very Important part of their lives,Can she accept that?

[heavynne]

Regardless to what people think about the situation, Michael wants his mother to raise his children. He himself knew who would be best. So I think the courts should respect his wishes. Janet and Rebe can help their mother. Regardless of Joe, Michael wants his mother to have them.

[Sloughfoot]

Who wants to "raise" the children and who wants the money and the spot light? I hope a competent judge with excellent insight and the children's future as a focus can make the best descision.

[cleric60]

Since M.Jackson belong to the Jehovah Witness sect, I haven't heard a word about it's influence on his behavior or lifetstyle. Did he have a JW funeral ceremony? If he didn't was he being "shunned" by the JW sect?
Does anyone have answers to these questions?

[marianmi]

FYI: It is true That MJ was Raised as a JW By his Mother But the Good News is that in 1987 he officially Left that Cult, and believe it or not,in the 90s,he gave his life to Jesus and became a True Christian,If you have ever heard any of his Interviews or speeches,you could hear for yourself whem he was talking about hif faith in Jesus and the Gospel and If you could watch his funeral Service, even there you could see that Baptist Pastor,and the gospel music of Andrea Crouch right in the begining of the Srvice, his Funeral was not a JW ONE ,it was an ordinary Christian Funeral,I hope you could get your answer,

[drsuz]

MJ stated in his will back in 2002, he wanted his mother to raise his children. NO WHERE has "Potty Mouth" Rowe been in the pic most of their lives and if the courts give them to her just because she was a paid incubator, then it only goes to prove that California Judges ARE whacked on all that weed. I say, let the voices of the children be heard. I say if they want to live with Granny or Janet, let them. Tearing them from the only people they have known to lived with some whacked out, potty mouth bimbo would be more determental on their mental health and may cause severe psychological damge in their later years. Heck any good Psych can tell you that..

[andie52]

If Rowe wasn't in the children?s lives it was because MJ didn't want them to be. He told them that they had no mother. She was paid but she was also pushed aside and kept there. No one in the Jackson family is capable of raising these poor brainwashed kids. I don't see how they will ever have normal lives. They have all been damaged by Jackson?s idea of what being a father means.