The mother of Michael Jackson’s two eldest children indicated today that she would fight for custody.
Debbie Rowe told NBC Los Angeles she was prepared to undergo DNA and psychological testing in a bid to win guardianship of Prince Michael (12) and Paris Michael Katherine (11).
She said she would also seek a restraining order preventing Jackson's father Joe from seeing his grandchildren, according to MSNLA's website.
During a 90-minute interview with NBC LA, Rowe said: "I want my children back."
Rowe gave up custody to her children with Jackson after the couple divorced in 1999. But there remains debate as to whether she legally signed away full parental rights in doing so.
An appeals court found this was done in error and an out-of-court settlement was reached between Rowe and Jackson in 2006.
A custody battle could pit Rowe's biological link with her children against their established bond with grandmother Katherine.
The pop star's mother was granted temporary custody of Prince Michael and Paris Michael earlier this week.
The 79-year-old was also named as the children's guardian in a 2002 will, believed to be the last written by Jackson.
But under Californian law, priority in custody battles is given to the biological parent. But a court can go against this if it thought not to be in the child's best interest.
It emerged today that America’s anti-drugs agency is investigating the death of pop star Michael Jackson.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was called in by Los Angeles police to assist as they probe allegations the star was on powerful painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants, sources close to the investigation said.
The agency has vast experience in dealing with drug abuse and could evaluate the potential role of illegal drug manufacturers known as pill mills.
Speaking today, Jermaine Jackson said he would be "hurt" if toxicology reports showed his brother had abused prescription drugs.
He told NBC he did not know of any drug abuse by the 50-year-old, who died last Thursday in LA.
But he added: "In this business, the pressure and things that you go through, you never know what one turns to."
Jackson's friend Uri Geller said today he attempted to keep the pop singer away from painkillers, but others in Jackson's inner circle were prepared to supply him with medications.
"When Michael asked for something, he got it. That was the great tragedy," the medium said.
Meanwhile, plans for Jackson's funeral were still being worked on today, with fans still waiting to hear if and where a public memorial would take place.
His brother Jermaine said he believed Neverland — the singer's vast estate in Santa Barbara, California — should be the King of Pop's final resting place.
But earlier speculation that a memorial at which fans could attend would take place at Neverland appears to have been ruled out.
A statement released last night by Sunshine, Sachs & Associates, the public relations firm employed by the Jackson family, read: "Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland.
"Plans are under way regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."
Today more details were released regarding what is believed to be the singer's last will.
The seven-year-old document was filed in a LA court yesterday, leaving Jackson's entire estate to a family trust and naming his mother Katherine and his three children as beneficiaries.
Joe Jackson, Michael's father, was not named in the will. Neither was Rowe.
Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff has called for a speedy compromise between attorneys for Mrs Jackson and the two co-executors of Michael Jackson's will — lawyer John Branca and John McClain, a music executive and a family friend.
"I would like the family to sit down and try to make this work so that we don't have a difficult time in court," the judge said yesterday.
In a statement, the two executors said: "As we work to carry out Michael's instructions to safeguard both the future of his children as well as the remarkable legacy he left us as an artist, we ask that all matters involving his estate be handled with the dignity and the respect that Michael and his family deserve."
Jackson had been booked to play 50 gigs at the O2 arena in London starting later this month.
His tour promoter Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live, said he hoped there could be tribute concerts to Jackson.