Jim Smeal/Getty ImagesDr. Arnold Klein is officially mum. But Debbie Rowe says she is officially mom.
In response to increasingly persistent rumors and theories regarding both the paternity and maternity of Michael Jackson's kids, Rowe has reiterated what people have been more or less accepting as fact for years.
"We refuse to be drawn into addressing the various rumors and speculation swirling in the media," Rowe's attorney, Marta Almli, tells E! News. "The vast majority of what is out there is untrue. Particularly hurtful and insidious is the most recent rumor—which is entirely false—concerning the maternity of the children. Ms. Rowe is the biological mother of the two oldest children."
Yesterday, Jackson matriach Katherine received temporary custody over her son's children with Rowe, Prince Michael and Paris, and his youngest son, Prince Michael II (aka Blanket), whose mother is unknown, and grandma is looking to make the arrangement permanent.
"Debbie remains grief stricken. Her thoughts are with the children and all of the Jackson family," Rowe's team of lawyers from Browne Woods George LLP previously told E! News. "To the extent she must respond to court proceedings that were started by others, she will of course do so at the appropriate time."
By saying Rowe will respond to "proceedings that were started by others," the lawyers may be suggesting that she herself will not be filing a custodial motion.
Klein, the King of Pop's longtime dermatologist, also has remained reclusive since Us Weekly reported he may be the true father of the Jackson children.
"Dr. Klein is aware of media reports connecting him to Michael Jackson," his lawyer, Richard L. Charnley, tells E! News.
"Because of patient confidentiality Dr. Klein will make no statement on any reports or allegations. Out of respect for his patients and adherence to federal HIPAA regulations, Dr. Klein asks that the media not contact his patients nor interfere with their medical treatments. Like millions of Michael's fans around the world, Dr. Klein is saddened by Michael's death and extends his condolences to Michael's family."
Additionally, Charnley claims his client has not spoken with the LAPD regarding Jackson's death.
"Dr. Klein has not been contacted by any governmental agency with request for an interview," he tells E! News.
Klein's staff told reporters camped outside his Los Angeles mansion that he was not home and did not wish to talk to anyone.
"You're wasting your time," one said, despite one news crew claiming that they saw the doctor arrive at the house and believing him to be holed up inside.
"He's very elusive," a neighbor tells E! News. "He's nice but he likes his privacy."
The neighbor also claims Jackson and the children have visited several times, but not in the past year. Ditto for Rowe, who was once the doctor's nurse.
That surrounding resident did make one very curious point, claiming that the skin man was also Jackson's plastic surgeon.
"Yeah, he did his nose," she tells E! News.
According to another adjacent home owner, the doctor, who has never been married and does not have any children, has an entire suite of his house dedicated to the icon.
"It's where Jackson stays when he visits him," the neighbor tells E! News. "It's a huge suite with a bunch of Jackson's clothes, a white glove and an Andy Warhol painting of Jackson."
This neighbor also claims the doc has a large staff of at least nine people and that multiple black Rolls-Royces use the driveway daily.
"He's a very powerful man," the nabe blabs. "He has a ton of celebrity clients."
—Reporting by Whitney English and Jessica Gysin
(Originally published June 30, 2009, at 3:18 p.m. PT)