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Katherine Jackson Reinstated As Permanent Guardian Of Grandchildren

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Katherine Jackson Thursday was reinstated as the permanent guardian of Michael Jackson's three children.

Jackson will share guardianship with her grandson T.J. until Aug. 22 when a judge will consider elevating him from temporary guardian to permanent co-guardian.

On July 25, T.J. was awarded temporary guardianship of Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket Jackson in an emergency hearing.

The family has made headlines in the past several weeks regarding the custody dispute and allegations that Katherine Jackson, 82, was reportedly kidnapped family members.

In a sworn declaration submitted to the court, Katherine said she did not know her grandchildren were trying to reach her while she was away for roughly 10 days at a spa in Tuscon, Ariz., because an iPad was taken away from her, her room telephone was not working and her television had sound, but no picture. She said that had she known the three were trying to contact her, she would not have been gone so long.

She also stated that she supports having TJ as co-guardian.

"I am, and have been, very close with my grandson TJ and have relied on him to help me raise Prince, Paris and Blanket since the death of their father," she said. "While I was away, I assumed that (the children) would be secure and safe in the hands of the person who had essentially been acting as an informal co-guardian on many matters with me since my appointment as guardian."

Her disappearance coincided with a letter sent by Jackson siblings Randy, Janet, Jermaine, Tito and Rebbie to the executors of Michael Jackson's estate, challenging the validity of his will. They contended Jackson was in New
York the day the executors claim he signed the will in Los Angeles.

Some of the siblings have since withdrawn their objections to the will.

On Wednesday, Jermaine Jackson issued a statement calling for an end to the family's feud and said the battle for custody and control of the Jackson estate should be handled privately.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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