Pool Photographer/Getty Images, Sgranitz/Getty ImagesWhy does Michael Jackson's dermatologist want a say in how the King of Pop's kids are raised?
Acting on behalf of Dr. Arnold Klein, attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan made a surprise appearance in court today to express his client's concern for the "education, health care and welfare" of Jackson's two eldest children, Prince Michael and Paris.
Not that Klein, who still has never flat-out denied that he is the biological father of those kids, thinks that their grandmother Katherine Jackson shouldn't be taking care of them.
Klein is merely "acting on promises he made to Michael with respect to ensuring the long-term health and stability of the children and their ability to enjoy as normal of a life out of the spotlight as could be reasonably possible," Kaplan and cocounsel Bradley P. Boyer said in a statement Monday night.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff, who earlier today awarded Katherine Jackson custody of her three grandchildren and agreed to visitation rights for Paris and Prince's biological mother (and Klein's former assistant), Debbie Rowe, said that Klein had no standing to challenge his decision at this time.
But, the judge said, Klein can file court papers pertaining to his guardianship concerns, and his legal camp says they plan to do just that on Sept. 1.
"Dr. Klein has always had a special relationship with Paris Katherine and Prince Michael, loves and cares deeply for these children and is looking out for their best interest," Boyer and Kaplan said. "Dr. Klein has been involved with the children in sharing holidays and other special events and wishes to have the ability to continue his involvement as a very close friend of their father and offers his guidance and protection forever."
So Kaplan and Boyer have deftly managed to explain without really telling us anything. How legal of them.