Jackson Children Custody Confirmed

Its has been confirmed that Katherine Jackson, mother of Michael Jackson, will retain custody of his children and Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of the two elder children, will visit and maintain her legal parental rights under an agreement reached by both sides.

Katherine and Debbie agreed to mutually hire a child psychologist to advise them on how, when and where Rowe’s visits should take place, a knowledgeable source said.

The agreement will go before a Los Angeles judge Monday, and both sides expect the judge to approve it, the source said. Rowe did not ask for custody. “Debbie is really happy” about the arrangement, said the source, refusing to be identified because the agreement has yet to be announced.

The source said Rowe did not receive any money under the arrangement and will pay half of the fees for the child psychologist.

Neither side made any demands that were rejected, the source said, and the arrangement was agreed to without contentious negotiation.

In his will, Jackson named his mother as guardian. Singer Diana Ross was listed as an alternative choice should his mother be unable to care for the children. Rowe has not seen the children in several years and at one time relinquished her parental rights. During a period when she had visitation, she complained that she was forced to meet the children in hotel rooms in the presence of Jackson’s associates and could not make up for visits she missed. After giving up her parental rights in 2001, Rowe went to court in 2003 to challenge that waiver. At the time, Jackson was facing child molestation charges. An appeals court ruled in her favor.

Such positive news in this time of sadness. At least now the children will be in a loving home and start to have a relationship with their mother.