The mother of Michael Jackson’s two eldest children indicated yesterday that she would fight for custody.
Debbie Rowe told NBC Los Angeles she was prepared to undergo DNA and psychological testing in a bid to win guardianship of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine, 11.
She said she would also seek a restraining order preventing Jackson’s father Joe from seeing his grandchildren, according to MSNLA’s website.
Jackson died on June 25 after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.
During a 90-minute interview with NBC LA, Rowe said: “I want my children back.”
Rowe gave up custody to her children with Jackson after the couple divorced in 1999. But there remains debate as to whether she legally signed away full parental rights in doing so.
An appeals court found this was done in error and an out-of-court settlement was reached between Rowe and Jackson in 2006.
A custody battle could pit Rowe’s biological link with her children against their established bond with grandmother Katherine.
The pop star’s mother was granted temporary custody of Prince Michael and Paris Michael earlier this week.
The 79-year-old was also named as the children’s guardian in a 2002 will, believed to be the last written by Jackson.
But under Californian law, priority in custody battles is given to the biological parent.
Meanwhile, footage of Jackson performing some of his most famous hits for the final time was released last night. His voice sounded strong as he danced around the stage in typical fashion during rehearsals at the Staples Centre, in Los Angeles.
The star was preparing for his 50-night residency at London’s O2 arena, set to begin later this month.
Jackson’s friend, Uri Geller, said last night the footage raised a “big question” about what prompted the star’s dramatic demise.
“The question is: What happened from that point to the day that he died?” said Geller. “In the photographs I’ve seen, he looked in shape, he was smiling, he was happy. What happened? That’s the big question.”
Kevin Mazur, 48, who photographed some of Jackson’s final moments at the rehearsals, said the star appeared to be back to his best and had a “incredible energy”.
It emerged yesterday that America's anti-drugs agency had launched an investigation into Jackson's death.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was called in by Los Angeles police to assist as they probe allegations the star was on powerful painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants, sources close to the investigation said. The agency has vast experience in dealing with drug abuse and could evaluate the potential role of illegal drug manufacturers known as pill mills.
Jermaine Jackson said he would be “hurt” if reports showed his brother had abused prescription drugs.
He told NBC he did not know of any drug abuse by the 50-year-old. But he added: “In this business, the pressure and things that you go through, you never know what one turns to.”
Plans for Jackson’s funeral were still being worked on today, with fans still waiting to hear if and where a public memorial would take place.