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MIJAC’S EX EARNS FIRST COURT WIN IN CUSTODY BATTLE: Judge voids Debbie Rowe’s loss of parental rights.
*Although the woman who gave birth to two of Michael Jackson’s kids willingly gave up sole custody of the siblings at the singer’s request, an appellate court in California has ruled that her relinquishing of parental rights was not done properly under the law.
"A court cannot enter a judgment terminating parental rights based solely upon the parties' stipulation that the child's mother or father relinquishes those rights," the appeals court said in its decision in favor of Deborah Rowe.
The ruling Wednesday was a victory for Rowe, who had a change of heart since yielding custody of her son Prince Michael and daughter Paris to Jackson in October 2001. She said at the time: "These are his children. I had the children for him…I did it for him to become a father. Not for me to become a mother. You earn the title parent. I have done absolutely nothing to earn that title."
In 2004, a judge voided the order at her request after her attorneys argued that proper court procedures weren't followed, according to court records. Rowe based her decision to void the order on publicity surrounding Jackson's child molestation charges and press reports that he was associating with the Nation of Islam.
"Because she is Jewish, Deborah feared the children might be mistreated if Michael continued his association with the Nation of Islam," the ruling noted.
