Michael Jackson's mother to retain custody of children

Michael Jackson’s mother is a big step closer today to keeping custody of the late pop star’s three children. KPCC’s Brian Watt reports.

The Jackson family and Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Deborah Rowe have reached an agreement. Katherine Jackson - the singer’s 79-year-old mother - will keep the children. Rowe will have visitation rights with the two she had with Jackson – 12-year-old Prince Michael and 11-year-old Paris. But those rights don’t extend to Jackson’s youngest child – seven-year-old Prince Michael II, who’s nicknamed “Blanket.” He’s the child of an unidentified surrogate mother.

In a statement, Katherine Jackson’s attorneys say she and the family are pleased the matter was handled in a “caring, thoughtful, and courteous manner” and that Katherine Jackson and Deborah Rowe were on the “exact same page.”

The attorneys said money was not part of the agreement. But Rowe will continue to receive spousal support payments agreed to earlier with Michael Jackson. The two sides will present the agreement to a Los Angeles judge for approval on Monday.