'I wasn't kidnapped - I needed a break': Katherine Jackson FINALLY breaks her silence after losing custody of Michael's children

  • Sources claims Randy and co. have Katherine 'drugged up'
  • Matriarch 'fires her security detail - demands Janet's team takes over'
  • TJ tearful in court as he describes strange phone call with Katherine
  • Judge awards him temporary guardianship of Prince, Paris and Blanket
  • He will now have access to $ 500m estate to care for his cousins
  • Randy lashes out at TJ for taking temporary custody of children
  • Katherine's lawyer will file motion to reinstated her as guardian upon return
  • 'Katherine finally spoke with her grandchildren last night after 10 days'
  • Randy Jackson reveals his mother is coming home to LA from Arizona
  • Michael's father Joe Jackson arrives in LA from Las Vegas base

By Daily Mail Reporter

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Katherine Jackson has FINALLY broken her silence after 'deserting' her grandchildren for ten days - to claim she 'wasn't kidnapped' and 'just needed a break'.

Following days of escalating tensions amongst her feuding family Katherine made a phone call to ABC news this evening, claiming: 'There are rumors going around about me that I have been kidnapped... I am here today to let everybody to know that I am good and fine.

'My children would never do anything to me like that.'

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TJ's in, Katherine's out: Katherine Jackson has had her guardianship of her three grandchildren suspended while their cousin TJ has been awarded temporary custody

TJ's in, Katherine's out: Katherine Jackson has had her guardianship of her three grandchildren suspended while their cousin TJ has been awarded temporary custody

TJ's in, Katherine's out: Katherine Jackson has had her guardianship of her three grandchildren suspended while their cousin TJ has been awarded temporary custody

Earlier today the Jackson family matriarch lost custody of her late son Michael's three children after a judge awarded temporary guardianship of the trio to their cousin TJ.

Prince, 15, Paris, 14, and Blanket, 10 will be cared for by their 34-year-old cousin.

Katherine said: 'I am devastated that while I've been away, my grandchildren have been taken away from me and I'm coming home.'

But in her phone call she failed to explain why she hadn't notified her three wards of her intention to take a 'short vacation'.

'One reason I didn't call is I just gave up my phone and I didn't want to have any phone calls while I was here,' she said.

With a worried Paris tweeting that her grandmother was 'missing' the 'vacation' led to rumours that Katherine had been kidnapped by her children.

Before the judge: An artist's impression of TJ's court hearing

Before the judge: An artist's impression of TJ's court hearing

Police stepped in and performed a welfare visit, with the 82-year-old found to be in good spirits at her daughter Rebbie's house in Arizona.

But she still failed to contact her young wards, with her son Jermaine admitting he had cut off her access to phones for her own 'well being'.

The latest feud between the Jacksons is said to have been stemmed from a dispute over Michael Jackson's $ 500million will.

Jackson died in June 2009 at age 50 and left his estate to care for his mother and three children. He left nothing to his father or siblings, who have repeatedly tried to intervene in the estate. 

Several have expressed doubts about the validity of his will.

It comes as Katherine is believed to be returning home to Los Angeles tonight after 10 days away in Arizona - and amid claims the Jackson matriarch called her home in Calabasas twice in the early hours of this morning sounding 'drugged up'.

Katherine is said to have ordered that her security team be fired - and replaced by Janet's bodyguards instead, TMZ claims.

Members of her house are said to have been 'alarmed and nervous' after Katherine's call - with sources telling the website the 'prevailing view is that Randy and company have drugged their mom'.

WHO IS TJ JACKSON?

  • TJ, full name Tito Joe Jackson, is the youngest son of Toriano Adaryll 'Tito' Jackson (Michael Jackson's brother).
  • He has two other siblings, Toriano Adaryll Jackson II and Taryll Adren Jackson, who compose the musical R&B group 3T.
  • TJ is the cousin of Prince, Paris and Blanket and the nephew of the late King Of Pop.
  • The singer has a wife called Frances who he married in 2007. The are believed to have three children together, Royal born in 2000, Dee Dee born 2008 and Jordanie born 2011
  • He was reality star Kim Kardashian's first love. 'We became extra close when my mom passed away,' TJ told People magazine in 1995. 'She dropped everything to be with me.'
  • TJ endured tragedy in 1994 when his mother Delores was found dead in the swimming pool of her boyfriend, Los Angeles businessman Donald L. Bohana - six years after her split from TJ's father.
  • Bohana was later found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. She died from 'asphyxia due to drowning, alcohol intake and blunt force traumatic injuries'.

TJ, the son of Michael's brother Tito, will now get access to funds from the $ 500m estate in order to care for the children, who are said to be in favour of him being their temporary guardian.

He became tearful in court as he told Judge Mitchell Beckloff  how he had a strange phone conversation with Katherine last night, who is holed up at an Arizona spa.

'I've never heard my grandmother talk like that,' said TJ, who once dated Kim Kardashian.

Saying he thought she was talking in code, he went on: 'She wasn't sharp. The pauses, choice of vocabulary... she has not used certain phrases like that before.' 

Confused: Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson have been pining for their grandmother over recent days

Confused: Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson have been pining for their grandmother over recent days

Tough talk: Katherine lawyer, Perry Sanders, gives a press conference after the hearing and said he will file a motion to get her reinstated as guardian upon her return to LA

Tough talk: Katherine lawyer, Perry Sanders, gives a press conference after the hearing and said he will file a motion to get her reinstated as guardian upon her return to LA

Official: The court document showing TJ has been appointed as temporary guardian of the late Michael Jackson's three children

Official: The court document showing TJ has been appointed as temporary guardian of the late Michael Jackson's three children

RANDY LASHES OUT AT TJ OVER GUARDIANSHIP HEARING

Randy Jackson has hit out at his nephew for taking guardianship of Michael Jackson's children from his mother.

He took to his twitter page today to reveal that 82-year-old Katherine - who it has been claimed is being held against her will in Arizona - told her grandson TJ she was coming home today and pleaded with him not to take the matter to court.

In a series of tweets, Randy wrote: 'I only tweet when its serious.

'Let me be very clear about the FACTS, the absolute TRUTH...

'I was on the phone at 9pm in Los Angeles, with my sister Rebbie, when my mother FIRED Trent and Security#

'My mom told TJ that she was coming home tomorrow (which is today).

'He asked for temporary guardianship & she said -"NO its not necessary, I'll be home tomorrow." He asked again, and she said "NO TJ

'I heard the conversation.

'His performance in court today breaks my heart. He knows his Aunts and Uncles would never hold their mother against her will. That's ABSURD.

'He insisted upon knowing what time she was arriving today & now I know why.

'Furthermore, if she is being held against her will - as he inferred in court -  what does taking over guardianship have to do with with my mother's well-being when the children were already in his care?

'Trust me - the Executors are behind this. The "powers that be" use tabloid media to spin their lies and divide our family.

'Enough already!! We've already lost one family member (sic).'

It has now been reported, though, that Katherine wants TJ  to be kept 'off her property'. On Monday he thwarted Randy, Janet and Jermaine's attempts to bring the three grandchildren to Arizona.

Judge Beckloff said that his understanding was that TJ's application was not a 'power play', according to TMZ.

While some members of the Jackson clan are feuding over Michael's $ 500m estate and challenging the validity of his will, TJ is not one of them.

Earlier this week TJ's father Tito withdrew from the plot - involving Randy, Janet, Jermaine and Rebbie - to overthrow the executors of their brother's will, which leaves everything to his children and nothing to them.

Meanwhile, Randy has lashed out at TJ for going before a judge to get the temporary guardianship order - insisting Katherine told him in a phone call last night it was 'not necessary' (see box, right for more).

Judge Beckloff said Katherine's guardianship was not suspended for wrongdoing - but argued she has been prevented from doing her duties by 'intentional acts from third parties' - an apparent reference to Randy, Janet, Jermaine and Rebbie. 

TJ's attorney, Charles A. Schultz described the situation as dire during today's court.

He said: 'There's immediate harm to the minor children, there was a potential abduction at the house, in addition to a phone call from Katherine last night that gave us real concern.

Schultz went on: 'We are looking at this as a Band-Aid until Miss Jackson returns or re-establishes contact with the kids.'

One of Katherine's lawyers, Sandra Ribera, added: 'I have reason to believe she's being held against her will.'

Another of Katherine's lawyers, Perry Sanders, said he will file a motion to get her re-instated as guardian upon her return to LA.

The judge also ordered that Prince, Paris and Blanket should not be removed from California without a court order - and urged TJ to file for permanent guardianship.

Meanwhile Joe Jackson - who usually resides in Las Vegas - has now arrived in LA.

The 83-year-old father of Michael, who is estranged from wife Katherine, arrived at the Calabasas compound this afternoon in a black Mercedes before going inside.

Speaking out: Her son Randy Jackson made the revelation today during a phone interview with Good Morning America

Speaking out: Her son Randy Jackson made the revelation today during a phone interview with Good Morning America

Lashing out: Randy took to Twitter after TJ's court hearing, hitting out at him for going to a judge to get temporary custody of Michael's children (click expand to see all tweets)

Today's court appearance came as Katherine's son Randy - one of the family members who is challenging the validity of his brother Michael's will - revealed the 82-year-old matriarch is leaving Arizona, bound for LA.

She has been staying there for the past 10 days amid a deepening family feud over her late son's estate. 

It has also been reported today that Katherine finally spoke to her grandchildren last night according to RadarOnline.

Daily updates: Paris tweeted again today, including this picture of herself

Daily updates: Paris tweeted again today, including this picture of herself

Seeking solace: Paris quoted lyrics from her father Michael Jackson's 1993 Will You Be There today

Seeking solace: Paris quoted lyrics from her father Michael Jackson's 1993 Will You Be There today

It comes following Paris' daily stream of concerned tweets where she has been pining for Katherine on the social networking site.

Meanwhile, Randy took part in a phone interview with Good Morning America today, telling host Robin Roberts that Katherine will now fly home.

The 56-year-old - along with siblings Janet, Rebbie and Jermaine - is behind a plot to overthrow Michael's will and the executors of his $ 500m estate, John Branca and John McClain.

Extraordinary scenes: Janet Jackson attempts to take Paris' cell phone from her after storming the family home in a dispute said to have arisen over Michael Jackson's will on Monday

Police swoop: Police were called to the Jackson family home in Calabasas, California

Police swoop: Police were called to the Jackson family home in Calabasas, California

Today Randy again insisted Katherine's trip to Arizona was on doctor's orders - and denied money was the motive in trying to take his mother out of the equation. Janet was reported to be behind Katherine's trip, who stayed with daughter Rebbie in Arizona before checking into a spa.

Randy reiterated his belief that Michael's will is fake, calling it a 'disgrace' to his family and a 'disgrace to this country'.

'My mom is on her way back to Los Angeles,' he said, adding that she went to Arizona 'to be somewhere she could be cut off from the outside world'.

Drama: Jermaine, Janet and Randy were apparently barred from the Calabasas home by security after trying to take the three children away on a flight to visit Katherine in Arizona

Drama: Jermaine, Janet and Randy were apparently barred from the Calabasas home by security after trying to take the three children away on a flight to visit Katherine in Arizona

He said she is now in 'much better health' - but deflected questions from Roberts about whether the grandchildren were aware of her trip.

The $  500m fight: The Jackson family is at war over Michael's millions

The $ 500m fight: The Jackson family is at war over Michael's millions

Instead he said: 'There are questions out there that have not been answered,' - and asked directly if the row was about the money he insisted emphatically: 'This is my brother and this is about righting a wrong'.

He also denied his sister Janet slapped Paris and called her a 'spoiled little b****' on Monday night during a family altercation at the Calabasas compound, saying there was 'no slapping or calling names'.

Randy explained how he, along with Janet and Jermaine, were 'denied access to our own home' in reference to the drama, saying they went there in a bid to help the three grandchildren make contact with Katherine.

RadarOnline reports Katherine's attorney Perry Sanders flew to Tucson, Arizona, last night to the spa where she is holed up with no telephone, computer or television access.

Apparently he was not allowed to see her directly, but did get a message to her that her absence had been very confusing for her grandchildren.

It prompted her to finally speak with them last night, the website reports.

An insider revealed: 'He did talk to Jermaine and Janet Jackson who were also there.'

And in reference to Katharine's phone call, the source added: 'The conversation was extremely emotional, and Paris was just so relieved to hear from her grandmother. She was very emotional on the phone, and Katherine assured her that everything was going to be OK.'

We're all alright: Katherine is pictured smiling behind her eldest daughter Rebbie at her Arizona home on Sunday

We're all alright: Katherine is pictured smiling behind her eldest daughter Rebbie at her Arizona home on Sunday

THE $ 500m FIGHT FOR JACKO'S FORTUNE: THE FACTS

What's at stake:

A recent financial summary showed that Michael Jackson's estate has earned almost $ 500million in gross profits since his death, and many of his major debts have either been resolved or are no longer delinquent.

Key players:

Katherine Jackson

  • Beneficiary of Michael's Jackson's estate and legal guardian of his three children. She was reported missing over the weekend but later found to be with her daughter Rebbie and other relatives in Arizona.
  • Her lawyer claims a plan has been in place for the last three years to remove Katherine Jackson from her home and her beloved grandchildren. Last reported whereabouts - an Arizona spa.

Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket

  • Michael Jackon's three children are set to inherit his $ 500m estate when Katherine dies. None of Jackson's eight siblings were named in will. Jacko's kids are seeking contact with grandmother Katherine, who they have not spoken to in nine days.
  • Targeted in an 'ambush' by uncles and aunt (Janet, Jermaine and Randy) last night.

Janet, Randy, Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson

  • Claim that the King of Pop's will was a fake and that the executors of his lucrative estate should step down.
  • Pressuring Katherine Jackson to seek permission from a judge to investigate the will's validity.
  • Letter penned by siblings on July 17 claims Katherine was being manipulated by the executors, John Branca and John McClain, her health had been affected, and she suffered a mini-stroke.
  • Randy and Jermaine had both previously asked their brother Michael's estate to pay their child support, hinting at financial motives behind plot. The request was denied.

Tito Jackson

  • He also signed the July 17 letter but has today backed out of plot and says he's renounced any intention to challenge validity of his brother's will.

Marlon Jackson

  • Not part of plot to challenge brother's will. Claims he has been cut off from contacting Katherine and in an interview with The Insider today he declared: 'I'm going to get to the bottom of this.'

On the fence

  • Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson and remaining siblings La Toya and Jackie Jackson have not made their allegiances clear. Although sources say Jackie is 'furious' at his squabbling siblings

Tito Junior, son of Michael's brother Tito

  • Tito Jr, also known as TJ, has been awarded temporary custody of Michael, Paris and Blanket while Katherine is away. The 34-year-old is married and used to date Kim Kardashian

Trent Jackson, Joe Jackson's nephew

  • He has sided with his young cousins Paris, Blanket and Prince Michael. Involved in alleged physical altercation with Jermaine and Randy at Calabasas compound last night.
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