Katherine Jackson Speaks To ABC News About Losing Custody Of Michael’s Children: Watch

Michael Jackson‘s mother Katherine Jackson made her first public appearance since she was reported missing last weekend, via an exclusive on-air statement given to ABC News. Surrounded by her children Janet, Jermaine and Rebbie Jackson — as well as Rebbie’s daughter and the marketing director for the Miraval Resort in Tuscon, where the 82-year-old has been staying for the past week — the family matriarch stated, “There are rumors going around about me that I’ve been kidnapped and held against my will. I’m here today to let everybody know that I’m fine, and I’m here with my children and my children would never do a thing like that.”

The ABC reporter present was not permitted to ask any questions. It’s just the latest even in the ongoing saga revolving around several Jackson family members’ disbelief in the authenticity of Michael Jackson’s will, which placed his children in the custody of Katherine Jackson and excluded his siblings from gaining any of his fortune.

“It’s very stupid for people to think that [I’ve been kidnapped],” Katherine continued. “But anyway, I am devastated that while I’ve been away, that my children, my grandchildren, have been taken away from me, and I’m coming home to see about that, also.”

She’s referring to a court ruling yesterday that placed Paris, Prince and Blanket Jackson — Michael’s three children — in the temporary custody of TJ Jackson, son of Tito. The judge in the case claimed that Katherine “is being prevented from acting as guardian by acts of a third party.”

Katherine told ABC, “The ruling in court today was based on the guardianship, and I think it was based on a bunch of lies. But I have a good idea who’s doing that, who’s behind it.”

The elder Jackson said that she had finally spoken to Paris and Prince, and that she would be returning home on Wednesday.

During the course of the drama that has unfolded over the past week — which included police being called to Katherine’s home on Monday over a physical altercation that erupted between unspecified family members — Paris posted several tweets alluding to the fact that she had been cut off from contact with her grandmother.

You can read the full transcript of Katherine Jackson’s statement at ABC News.