Jackson mother granted custody of children

A Los Angeles judge named Michael Jackson’s mother as permanent guardian of the star’s children, ignoring a surprise late bid by the singer’s dermatologist to have a say in their upbringing.

Lawyers for Katherine Jackson, 79, and the King of Pop’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe had last week agreed details of custody arrangements concerning children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11 and Prince Michael II, 7.

But what was expected to be a straightforward hearing to approve the agreement took a bizarre turn when an attorney for Jackson’s Beverly Hills dermatologist, Arnold Klein, appeared at the hearing.

Lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan said Klein wanted to "have a voice" in issues concerning the children’s "education, healthcare and welfare."

Asked repeatedly by Judge Mitchell Beckloff to state what Klein’s interest was, Kaplan said it was due to his client’s "longstanding relationship with the children and longstanding relationship with Mr Jackson."

"I want to applaud Debbie Rowe. She’s faced difficulties and pressures none of us know, and today’s agreement shows that she responded with heart, integrity and selflessness."

A further hearing has been scheduled for October 2 to "review the circumstances of the children" and ensure the custody arrangement has been successful, Beckloff said.

In her first comments since Jackson’s death, she also said she doubted her 50-year-old son had died of natural causes. "He’s too young for that. Something happened, I don’t know what it was and I can’t say," she said.

Later Monday, Beckloff approved a 2002 will drawn up by Jackson which named two music industry figures, John McClain and John Branca, as co-executors of the singer’s estate.