Michael Jackson's mother awarded custody of pop star's children

Katherine Jackson, the 79-year-old mother of pop icon Michael Jackson, has been awarded custody of her recently deceased son's three children.

According to published reports, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff granted Katherine Jackson permanent custody of Prince Michael, 12; Paris, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7. The move reportedly is in keeping with Michael Jackson's wishes as stated in a 2002 will.

According to the New York Daily News, Kartherine Jackson last week reached an agreement on custody issues with Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Deborah Rowe, who reportedly will have visitation rights with the two eldest children, to whom she gave birth.

Beckloff reportedly also granted Katherine Jackson's request for an allowance from Michael Jackson's estate for herself and the children.

Meanwhile, the day's most unexpected development came in the form of Mark Vincent Kaplan, a lawyer for Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's dermatologist, who appeared in court to ask that Klein be allowed an official say in the upbringing of Jackson's eldest two children. Klein, for whom Rowe once worked, is rumored to be the biological father of the pair.

When questioned on Klein's legal relationship with the children, Kaplan answered, "Legally, he's not a presumed parent," the Daily News reported.