Katherine Jackson Loses Custody of Michael's Kids

Another episode in the weird family feud that has erupted in the last week among Michael Jackson's family: A judge has removed matriarch Katherine Jackson as guardian of Michael's three children and handed custody over to their cousin, TJ Jackson, 34, reports TMZ. At an emergency hearing, the judge temporarily discharged the guardianship of Katherine, 82, because certain unnamed "third parties"—TMZ says he's referring to Michael's siblings Randy, Janet, Jermaine, and Rebbie—were preventing her from taking care of the kids.

Katherine had finally contacted her home yesterday after being out of touch for nine days. Before she left, she had asked TJ, son of Tito Jackson, to take care of Paris, Prince, and Prince Michael II, Michael's three kids. His adult siblings, meanwhile, seem to be fighting over custody of the kids and a piece of Michael's estate. The sibs were cut out of Michael's will, and some of them are allegedly trying to have the document invalidated. Click for more, including how Katherine sounded "drugged" on the phone.)