Katherine Jackson granted official permanent custody of Michael’s children

Katherine Jackson with Paris and Katherine at memorial

The late Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson was given permanent custody of the singer’s three children today as anticipated. An agreement last week between Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe, the mother of the two oldest children, cleared the way for an uncontested custody hearing.  Katherine Jackson, 79, will now be the permanent caregiver of Michael’s three children: Michael Joseph “Prince Michael” Jackson Jr., Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael II (known as “Blanket”) — by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff.
Rowe, who was briefly married to Michael Jackson gave birth to the two older children and later agreed to relinquish her parental rights, agreed not to fight for custody in exchange for visits with the children as recommended by a psychologist. Jackson’s children have been living with their paternal grandmother at her Encino, California, home since their father’s June 25 death.

In a surprise twist according to the NY Daily News, a lawyer for Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson’s dermatologist and rumored father of the two older kids, showed up in court asking to have an official say in their upbringing on issues such as health and education. The judge rejected the request. Klein can appeal the decision.