Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, yesterday won a round in her battle over custody of her two children.
The appeals court ruled that her parental rights were not properly relinquished under the law. The appellate court said that the judge in the 2001 case, where Rowe gave up her rights to act as parent, did not handle it properly.
Indeed the original judge, Steven M. Lachs, acknowledged in 2004 that he failed to have state officials do an independent investigation into what was in the best interests of the children.
The ruling quoted from Rowe's original motion in October 2001.
"Michael has been a wonderful father to the children and I do not wish to share parenting responsibilities with Michael because he is doing so well without me. I want to forever give my any and all rights pertaining to the children because I believe that by doing so, it is in the children's best interests."
Rowe changed her mind two years later, claiming that the publicity surrounding Jackson's alleged molestation of children had been the reason for her change of heart.
Rowe is quoted as saying:
"I am thrilled with today's ruling."
