Katherine Jackson temporarily loses custody of Michael Jackson’s children, judge names TJ Jackson as temporary guardian (original) (raw)
A judge stripped Katherine Jackson of custody of Michael Jackson’s three kids Wednesday, handing temporary guardianship to the King of Pop’s nephew on a dramatic day capped with the return of brutal patriarch Joe Jackson from self-imposed exile.
The surprise order was the latest bombshell in an ugly family feud pitting the late singer’s siblings Janet, Randy, Jermaine and Rebbie against new custodian TJ Jackson and Jacko’s three kids, who claim that Katherine Jackson was kidnapped more than a week ago.
The swiftly churning developments in the struggle for Michael’s millions have left many disturbing questions unanswered:
Where has Katherine Jackson been?
Was she being held against her will?
What is Joe Jackson after?
Will Jackson’s siblings prevail in their fight to nullify the singer’s will?
For now, Katherine Jackson is vowing to fight to regain control over her grandkids from TJ — and denies she was abducted.
TJ Jackson (second from left) performing on stage with family members at the ‘Michael Forever Tribute Concert’ in 2011.
“There are rumors going around about me that I have been kidnapped,” Katherine, 82, told ABC News late Wednesday, her first comments since the bizarre brouhaha over her whereabouts erupted July 15.
Surveillance video showing a scuffle outside of the Jackson house showing Janet (left) and Paris Jackson.
” I am good and fine. . . . My children would never do anything to me like that.”
She planned to meet with her lawyer Thursday, the attorney Perry Sanders Jr. told the Daily News.
“I am devastated that while I’ve been away, my grandchildren have been taken away from me, and I’m coming home,” she told ABC.
TJ, Tito Jackson’s 34-year-old son, was granted temporary guardianship during an emergency hearing after what he called a “strange” call from Katherine Tuesday night.
“I’ve never heard my grandmother talk like that. In every way. The sound of her voice, the pauses. Asked simple questions, she wasn’t sure. Some of her words seemed a little slurred,” TJ said in court.
TJ Jackson (second from left) performing on stage with family members at the ‘Michael Forever Tribute Concert’ in 2011.
S urveillance video showing a scuffle outside of the Jackson house showing Janet (left) and Paris Jackson. (ABC)
Michael’s brother Randy Jackson, part of the group that whisked Katherine away to an isolated Arizona spa, quickly branded TJ’s move treachery. “He knows his Aunts and Uncles would never hold their mother against her will,” he tweeted. “That’s ABSURD.”
TJ’s lawyer said his client was acting out of loyalty to Michael.
“When his grandmother comes back, he’s going to step right aside,” Charles Shultz told The News.
Patriarch Joe Jackson has yet to comment on the familial fracas but was spotted Wednesday wearing his trademark fedora outside the family’s Encino, Calif., compound.
Randy Jackson (L) and Janet Jackson enter the Los Angeles Courthouse for opening statements for the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray on September 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of singer Michael Jackson who died of an overdose prescription drugs, including propofol and lorazepam, in June of 2009. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Lawyers for Katherine Jackson, TJ and the kids told Judge Mitchell Beckloff that Katherine had been missing from her California home since mid-July, compromising her ability to care for Paris, 14, Prince Michael, 15, and Blanket, 11.
“I’ve been at the house since Saturday off and on, and I have reason to believe that Mrs. Jackson is being held against her will,” Katherine’s lawyer Sandra Ribera said.
Judge Beckloff granted TJ’s request but made it clear there was no evidence that Katherine had done anything wrong and that he’d restore her role upon her return.
The temporary custody change came two days after a bizarre confrontation involving Jermaine, Randy, Janet and the King of Pop’s kids Monday.
Ribera said Michael’s siblings “stormed” the Calabasas estate and tried to snatch the kids’ cell phones. An unnamed source told TMZ that Janet slapped Paris and called her a “spoiled little bitch” .
“That never happened,” Randy told ABC’s “Good Morning America” Wednesday.
Michael’s siblings Randy, Janet, Jermaine, Rebbie and Tito recently signed a letter claiming Michael’s will is a fraud .
Originally Published: July 25, 2012 at 10:19 PM EST