A Superior Court judge reinstated Michael Jackson's mother as guardian of his children Thursday after saying a court investigation found that she was doing "a wonderful job."
Judge Mitchell Beckloff said a cousin of the children, Tito Joe T.J. Jackson, who he tapped as a temporary guardian last week, would stay on and eventually share full guardianship with Katherine Jackson.
The judge said he was concerned by accusations aired in court last week regarding the alleged kidnapping of Katherine Jackson, but that a probate court investigator's report reassured him of the wellbeing of Prince, 15; Paris, 14; and Blanket, 10.
"It's clear to me that the children are well cared for by Mrs. Jackson. It is clear to me they love her very much," Beckloff said at a hearing. He added that interviews conducted by the investigator with the children and the family matriarch, 82, indicated the trio have "a substantial, significant" relationship with T.J. Jackson and that his background -- he is the son of the Jackson Five's Tito -- allow the children to relate to him.
A lawyer who represents the children, Margaret Lodise, said that Diana Ross, named as a back-up guardian by Jackson’s will, had visited the children in Calabasas on Wednesday and agreed with the decision to have T.J. and Katherine Jackson share custody.
The family has been embroiled in drama for the last couple of weeks, including allegations that the elderly matriarch had been kidnapped by relatives.
Last week, Beckloff, acting on his own initiative, had instructed a probate court investigator to prepare a report "addressing the status of the minor children" and their grandmother.
The family appears to be attempting to put an end to the public feud. On Wednesday, Jermaine Jackson issued a statement saying he wanted to offer an "olive branch" and begin healing in the family.
"Enough has become enough," he said. "After much soul-searching, it is clearly time for us to live by Michael's words about love not war. In this spirit, I offer this statement by way of extending an olive branch."
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Judge orders co-guardianship for Jackson's kids
LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent
Updated 10:47 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2012
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge on Thursday reinstated Katherine Jackson as the guardian of Michael Jackson's three children in an arrangement that also keeps their cousin as temporary co-guardian.
Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff said during a hearing that an investigator who looked into the children's care found that the late pop star's 82-year-old mother was an excellent guardian and the children love her very much.
"I think the kids are in terrific hands," the judge said. "It appears from the report that Katherine Jackson has done a wonderful job and cares about the children very much....TJ is "incredibly respectful" of the family matriarch and she is respectful of him, the judge said.
Beckloff said he will finalize the arrangement later in the month but for now he will issue letters of co-guardianship allowing both Jacksons to make decisions about the children's welfare.
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[Edited 8/2/12 11:06am]