The family drama over who'll look after Michael Jackson's children has drawn to a close.
Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and nephew, T.J. Jackson, were granted permanent co-guardianship of Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson on Wednesday, bringing an end–at least for now–to a bizarre saga revolving around the family of the deceased King of Pop.
Also read: Michael Jackson's Mother, Nephew Granted Co-Guardianship of Singer's Kids
Katherine had been sole guardian of the children until last month, when a judge ordered T.J. — the son of Michael's brother Tito — to be the temporary guardian. That decision came after Katherine was whisked away to Arizona for a mysterious visit that's still under a cloud of speculation.
In early August, upon the family matriarch's return to Southern California, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff granted Katherine and T.J. temporary co-guardianship of the kids, which was made permanent on Wednesday.
Also read: Michael Jackson's Son Speaks Out on Family Meltdown: "I'm Really Angry and Hurt"
Katherine's attorney, Perry Sanders, told TheWrap that his client was pleased with the outcome.
"The judge's decision is consistent with Mrs. Jackson's wishes," Sanders said.
Katherine's two-week visit to Arizona came amid accusations from multiple siblings of Michael that the pop star's will was fraudulent. (A letter stating as much that was signed by the siblings was later disavowed by at least one of them.) Prince, Michael Jackson's oldest child, later stated that he and his two siblings were prevented from contacting their grandmother during that period, and court papers filed in the guardianship proceedings suggested that Katherine was also prevented from making contact with the kids.
"Thriller" singer Jackson died June 25, 2009, of acute propofol intoxication at the age of 50.