Debbie Rowe joins Jackson custody battle

Mother of Michael Jackson's children wades into custody battle

The mother of Michael Jackson's first two children, Debbie Rowe, last night had a custody hearing delayed as she decides whether she wants to fight for them.

In her first legal move since the pop legend's death, Debbie had a custody hearing for Monday postponed until 13 July, while she decides whether she wants to raise Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11.

Rowe, who met Jackson while she was working at his dermatology clinic, reportedly broke her silence in a late-night phone call with local NBC TV reporter Chuck Henry, saying: 'They are my flesh and blood. I'm going after my children.'

But her lawyer insists she has not decided yet whether she will fight for custody.

Eric George said she was still considering her options, but did not deny her conversation with the reporter.

He said: 'I'm representing to you now, unequivocally, Debbie has not reached a final decision concerning the pending custody proceedings.

'Though Debbie herself has not spoken publicly about the custody proceedings since Michael's death, I came to learn this morning that she shared some of her thoughts late last night with a local reporter.

'I have no reason to doubt that what was reported from that conversation was accurately and ethically reported.

'But that said, it would be a distortion of the truth to allow that single snapshot from a single conversation to stand as the truth of Debbie's position on these sensitive matters.

'So once again, the truth is that Debbie has not reached a final decision concerning the pending custody proceedings.'

In his last will, Michael named his mother Katherine as the desired guardian for his three children, and named Diana Ross as his second choice.

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