Rowe Undecided on Jackson Kids Custody Battle
Michael Jackson performs with Slash during the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall
After strong indications of an oncoming custody battle in the Michael Jackson saga, Deborah Rowe's lawyer gently applied the brakes on Thursday.
Attorney Eric George told reporters during a telephone press conference that Rowe is not yet firm in her decision to fight for custody of her two children. (See the last photos of Michael Jackson.)
"Debbie Rowe has not reached a final decision concerning the pending custody proceeding," George said.
The lawyer's remarks contrasted with Rowe's own remarks earlier on Thursday. "I want my children," Rowe reportedly said during a 90-minute phone conversation with NBC-LA anchor Chuck Henry. (Read "What Happened to Michael Jackson's Millions?")
Rowe is the mother of Jackson's two eldest children — son Michael Joseph Jr., 12, and daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11.
George admitted in the press conference that the conversation with Henry "was accurately and ethically reported." But, he added, "it would be a distortion of the truth to allow that single snapshot of a single conversation to stand as the truth of Debbie's position."
Rowe's self-described "best-friend" and former attorney Iris Finsilver told TIME.com that she spoke with Rowe earlier on Thursday and echoed Rowe's desire to enter a custody battle. "This is something that's very important to her; she loves her children," Finsilver said.
Katherine Jackson, the singer's mother, has temporary guardianship of her son's three children. A guardianship hearing has been rescheduled for July 13.
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