Mom of 2 Jackson Kids Weighs Custody Fight

Debbie Rowe, the mother of Michael Jackson's two oldest children, plans to fight for custody of the children, according to a report from KNBC in Los Angeles.

However, Rowe's attorney Eric George said that she has not reached a final decision concerning custody, CBS News has learned.

A judge on Thursday delayed a guardianship hearing for Jackson's children at the request of attorneys for Rowe and the singer's mother.

In his will, Jackson designates his mother, Katherine Jackson, to be the guardian of his two children, with longtime friend and singing superstar Diana Ross named as the next choice if his mother is unable or unwilling to care for the children, reports CBS News correspondent Priya David.

Rowe gave up her parental rights in 2001 and was paid a multi-million dollar settlement, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy. At the time of Jackson's molestation trial in 2005 Rowe tried to regain her rights, but was paid another settlement.

"As far as Michael was concerned, Debbie was sort of a surrogate mother and that she was not to be involved in the children's lives," said CBS News consultant J. Randy Taraborelli.

But "the court has to give preference to the parent, the biological parent; however if that is not in the best interest of the child, the court does not have to follow that," Charlotte Goldberg of Loyola Law School told CBS News earlier this week.

Rowe did not immediately come forward following Jackson's death. But she told KNBC Thursday that she is willing to undergo DNA testing to prove that she is the biological mother of Michael Joseph Jr. (also known as Prince Michael), 12 and Paris Michael Katherine, 11.

Rowe is not the mother of Jackson's third child, Prince Michael II (also known as Blanket), 7. She said she hoped to keep the children together and would be willing to take custody of Blanket as well, but admitted that outcome was unlikely.

Rowe was married to Jackson for three years beginning in 1996. Jackson said in his will that he had intentionally left Rowe out.

Katherine Jackson has been named the temporary guardian of the children, and they are reported to currently be with her at the family compound in Encino, Calif.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials are holding closed-door talks about a possible event for Michael Jackson on Tuesday at a downtown arena, a person with knowledge of the situation said.

The event would take place at the Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers, said the person who wasn't authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

Before his death Michael Jackson had been rehearsing at the Staples Center for 50 shows he was planning to put on in London. Today, the promoters released footage of Jackson's final rehearsal and in it he looks ready to make a comeback, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.

Watch video of Michael Jackson rehearsing at the Staples Center two days before he died.

AEG, the company that runs the Staples Center, was also producing Jackson's London concerts, reports Tracy. They offered the venue to the Jackson family for a memorial.

Today the director of those planned summer shows says Michael Jackson's final rehearsal was worthy of the king of pop, reports Tracy.

"It was just an incredible night," said Kenny Ortega. "He was electric, he was happy, he was invested. It was inspirational to be in this space. As it always was when he was here and he was just, you know, he was rocking the house."