This is really going to get ugly. Debbie Rowe wants custody of the children and a restraining order against Joe Jackson. Ironic since news just surfaced of her being left out of Michael’s will:
“I want my children,” Rowe said during a 90-minute phone conversation Thursday morning with NBCLA’s Chuck Henry. Rowe said she was willing to submit to any testing, including DNA to prove that she is the children’s true biological mother. Rowe also said she would submit to psychological testing. She also said she would seek a restraining order to keep Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, away from the children.
The agreement does allow for visitation, but Rowe said it’s a very difficult process. She said if she misses a visitation date, it is difficult to reschedule with the Jacksons. “I am stepping up,” Rowe said. “I have to.” Rowe said she was still grieving. She said she decided she had to seek custody after Jackson’s death. “We had an agreement… he didn’t keep his end,” Rowe said, referring to Jackson’s death. “It hasn’t been easy. It’s been painful.” Jackson, who died at age 50, left behind three children: son Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11; and son Prince Michael II, 7. Rowe was the mother of the two oldest children. The youngest was born to a surrogate mother, who has never been identified. Rowe said she was concerned about splitting up the children. She said she did not expect the court to grant custody of the third child, but added that she would be willing to accept custody.
Rowe, who was married to Jackson in 1996 and filed for divorce three years later, surrendered her parental rights. An appeals court later found that was done in error, and Rowe and Jackson entered an out-of-court settlement in 2006. In her testimony eight years ago, Rowe said, “I had the children for him. They wouldn’t be on this planet if it wasn’t for my love for him. I did it for him to become a father, not for me to become a mother. You earn the title ‘parent.” I have done absolutely nothing to earn that title.” Earlier this week, Jackson’s mother was appointed temporary guardian of the children, pending a hearing on Monday. A will signed by Jackson in 2002 and filed with the court Wednesday requests that Katherine Jackson be named guardian of the children, but in the event of her death, he asked that singer Diana Ross be appointed.
The will also specifically leaves Rowe out of any inheritance. “I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Jean Rowe Jackson,” the will states. Rowe’s attorney, Eric George, told the Los Angeles Times he will be at the custody hearing Monday to represent her.
They will be fighting over this for years simply because the kids are the biggest beneficiaries of Michael’s estate. She found out her tub of lard was left out the will and went for the next thing floating. They aren’t even her biological kids. SMH.
