- Glee Do MJ, LiLo Denial, Brad Pitt On Oscars, SJP's Face
- Drew Barrymore Adopts, Snooki's Pregnancy, Hunger Games
- Sofia Vegara's Sexy, Aguilera's Accident, Clooney's Ex And More
- Kardashians And Beckham Strip, Bueller's Back, Al Green And Obama?
- Brangelina Doesn't Google, Alba's Meatballs, OMG Aniston Eats
- SJP Steps In For Demi, Glee's Our Enemy, Cash For Tweets
Debbie Rowe: No Decision Yet Over Custody Fight, Says Lawyer
July 3rd, 2009
Reports that Debbie Rowe has plans to fight for custody of her two children with Michael Jackson have dominated the headlines – but her lawyer insists that she has not “reached a final decision” on the matter.
“Debbie Rowe has not reached a final decision concerning the custody proceedings,” attorney Eric M. George told reporters at a press conference Thursday (2 July).
On behalf of Rowe, he added:
“As many of you know, my belief is that the pending custody proceedings are the most private and the most sensitive of matters as they impact the lives and the fates of young children. To that end, I’ve endeavored out of respect for Michael’s children and family, especially in this time of grieving, to keep silence on these matters, to deny all interview requests and to share only that information involving upcoming public court proceedings.”
Earlier Thursday, NBCLA’s Chuck Henry claimed that he has spoken to Rowe – mother of Prince, 12, and Paris, 11 – and said that she told him, “I want my children.”
“I have no reason to doubt that what was reported from that conversation was accurately and ethically reported,” George said, “but that said, it would be a distortion of the truth to allow that single snapshot of a single conversation, to stand as the truth on Debbie’s position on this sensitive matter.”
He concluded, “Once again, the truth is that Debbie has not reached a final decision concerning the pending custody proceedings. When Debbie does take a position in the public forum of a court, those positions will, of course, be conveyed to all interested persons. In the meantime, I very much appreciate everybody’s continued respect for Debbie’s privacy at this time, and I’m very sorry, but I cannot address any questions at this time.”
In Jackson’s will, released Wednesday (July 1), the singer named his mother Katherine, 79, as guardian of his three children. Second in line, according to the will, if Katherine died before him or couldn’t serve as guardian, was Diana Ross.
“I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Rowe Jackson,” Jackson stated in his will.
Last week, Katherine filed a 22-page petition in Los Angeles Probate Court seeking legal guardianship of the children, claiming that the children “have no relationship with their biological mother.”
Get daily updates on Twitter. @celebritytruth.
