Katherine Jackson to split custody of kids with T.J. Jackson
Katherine Jackson regained partial custody of Michael Jackson’s three children Thursday, just as the Jackson family feud appears to be calming down.
The 82-year-old matriarch filed papers to a Los Angeles judge asking to share guardianship of Prince, Paris and Blanket with her grandson T.J. Jackson, who was granted temporary custody July 25, L.A. Now reported. The request was granted after the court determined Katherine and T.J. Jackson could best care for the children together.
“With some changes, that pleading will essentially now legally reflect how Mrs. Jackson and T.J. have often shared responsibilities of raising the children since Michael Jackson’s tragic passing,” Katherine Jackson’s lawyer, Perry R. Sanders Jr., said in a statement to L.A. Now.
Katherine Jackson lost custody of the children due to the acts of “third parties,” not any personal wrongdoing, according to the L.A. judge who ruled in the initial swap.
She was recently reported missing and later found to be safe with family in Arizona. Jackson said in court documents that she’d been shocked to learn of her missing status via a TV broadcast, and that none of her companions told her that her grandchildren had been trying to get in touch with her. Cue the family feud.
Last week, L.A. County sheriff’s deputy responded to a physical altercation between Jackson family members at her home in Calabasas, where the children live. The feud also unfolded on Twitter and television.
The new custody arrangement allows T.J. Jackson, 34, to oversee staff and security at the Calabasas home, while Katherine Jackson maintains control of the children’s financial allowance from the singer’s estate.
“She is eager to simply enjoy her great relationship with these children, while deeding over some of the stressors that go hand in hand with being a guardian,” Sanders wrote.
Meanwhile, the Jackson family drama cools. Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson expressed regret to CNN on Wednesday, the same day fans learned that Janet Jackson had not slapped Paris or verbally abused her in recent days, as had been rumored.
“After much soul-searching, it is clearly time for us to live by Michael’s words about love not war,” he wrote. “In this spirit, I offer this statement by way of extending an olive branch.”
ALSO:
Katherine Jackson not missing, just playing Uno
Rumor update: Janet Jackson did not slap Paris Jackson
Paris Jackson tweets from inside the Jackson family storm
Follow Danielle Paquette on Twitter @DpaquetteLA. Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter @LATcelebs.
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