Neverland Ranch

The entrance to pop star Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez, Calif., is seen Dec. 17, 2004. Jackson paid $14.6 million for the 2,600-acre estate he moved into in the late '80s, when he dominated the musical world. Now, his fairytale sanctuary lies at the center of his latest legal troubles.

Jackson waves after greeting several hundred children that were invited guests at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004. Jackson often opens Neverland's gates to children, most coming through charities, hospitals or schools. His latest troubles began with a documentary shot at the ranch, in which he acknowledged sharing his bed with "many children."

A bus carries children to a celebration at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004. The estate provided lunch, candy canes, popcorn and a Santa Claus for guests that day. The children could also play in a video arcade with unlimited games.

Amusement park rides are seen on the grounds of Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004. In addition to the rides, the estate includes a zoo, two trains, two lakes and a series of buildings.

Elephants are led around Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004. The elephants, a camel, a baby llama and flamingos were on hand for the party.

A carousel and ferris wheel are seen at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004.

Guests ride on one of the amusement park attractions at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004.

A statue of children playing in a wagon is seen in front of Jackson's mansion at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004.

Children and adults are greeted by a man dressed as Santa Claus at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 17, 2004.

Children and adults are transported around Neverland Ranch by train, Dec. 17, 2004.

A Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputy walks back to the security building at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 3, 2004, following the serving of a search warrant that morning.

A Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputy and a member of the Neverland Fire Department, Jackson's personal team of firefighters, stand guard behind the main gate at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 3, 2004.

An unmarked Santa Barbara County sheriff's car drives down the main road at Neverland Ranch, Dec. 3, 2004. The sign at left reads "Caution Children At Play."

Santa Barbara County sheriffs guard the entrance to Neverland Ranch, Nov. 18, 2003. A day later, an arrest warrant was issued for Jackson, who pleaded not guilty to a 10-count indictment including child molestation on April 30, 2004.

Cars line up to enter Neverland Ranch, Dec. 20, 2003, in Santa Barbara, Calif. More than 300 relatives and close friends of Jackson's went to the ranch to show their support for the singer.

Seen at lower left of this aerial view of Neverland ranch is the satellite truck Jackson used to broadcast a statement claiming his innocence in child molestation allegations levied against him., Dec. 22, 1993. Jackson was never charged in the case because the youngster refused to testify, but paid an estimated $15 million to $20 million to the boy's family.

This is an aerial view Neverland Ranch in 1993, when Jackson was building a train station to resemble the main depot at Disneyland. The ranch is nicknamed for the fairytale land in Jackson's favorite story, Peter Pan, about a boy who wouldn't grow up.