Michael Jackon's Kids, Mark Lester's Photos, Arnold Klein Rumors -- Who's the Daddy?

Michael Jackson's legacy might not only be his wonderful music, but also the fact that being associated with him gave so many people the chance at their Warhol minutes -- people like Omer Bhatti, Dr. Conrad Murray, Dr. Arnold Klein and Mark Lester. Although some of those names had been heard before, it wasn't until the death of the King of Pop that their associations with Michael Jackson were particularly newsworthy, tabloid or otherwise, except on occasion. Now, their names are mentioned at least on a daily basis and most of the news circles around Michael Jackson paternity issues -- or lack thereof. And with Arnold Klein's and Mark Lester's claims within the past week, paternity has taken a role of secondary importance, just behind Michael Jackson's death itself. Mark Lester's revelations to the News of the World Saturday that Paris Jackson might be his daughter and the subsequent hunt for Mark Lester's photos and Mark Lester's daughter's photos have sparked an interest in the paternity issue that currently overshadows that of the investigation, since the autopsy report has been placed on an indefinite delay status.

What seems to have started the new phase in paternity claims and speculations was Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's dermatologist, stepping forth in court Monday through his lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, to raise concerns, according to TMZ, regarding parenting issues of Michael Jackson's children, who had been awarded temporary custody to Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, pending a final adjudication. It has long been rumored Dr. Arnold Klein, who employed Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's second wife, as a nurse, may have been the biological donor father of the two oldest Jackson children, Prince and Paris. Klein refuses to confirm whether or not he is actually the father of any of the children.

His efforts at objection, however, went all for naught as the judge told Kaplan that his client had no legal standing with which to raise objections to the custody or rearing of Michael Jackson's children.

TMZ reported that Kaplan intends to file legal papers regarding Klein and his legal status with regards to the children in September.

That same day, Katherine Jackson was awarded full custody of the three children, something that Michael Jackson had suggested in his will.

But the drama wasn't quite over for the week. Mark Lester, a friend of Michael Jackson's for 27 years, interviewed with British tabloid News of the World, who posted a video Saturday of the former child actor ("Oliver"). During the interview, the 51-year-old explained how he had given a sperm donation for Michael Jackson to have children, that he had done so during the time that Debbie Rowe was Michael Jackson's wife, and that he was afraid that he would no longer enjoy his god fatherly relationship with the children now that Michael Jackson was gone and the children were in the care of Katherine. He also stated that Paris, who is 11 years old, just might be his daughter and that she bears a resemblance to his 15-year-old daughter, Harriet.

In another twist of interconnectedness, Debbie Rowe said that Mark Lester had concerns "about the welfare and upbringing of the children." Debbie Rowe give up her custodial rights to Katherine Jackson but retains her rights as a parent.

Mark Lester also said that he was willing to take a paternity test to settle the matter.

For those who enjoy the soap opera world of tabloid literature, a battle royals brewing out of paternity issues and the legalities of custodial care and rights seems to be in the offing. TMZ has posted side-by-side photos of Paris Jackson and Harriet Lester and there does seem to be a superficial resemblance, but anyone with an elementary knowledge of genetics understands that a passing resemblance means absolutely nothing.

Photos notwithstanding, there seems to be an issue of how the children are going to be raised. In fact, it has been maintained that that is why Debbie Rowe re-entered the Jackson family picture. It is reported she will receive no money in the agreement she reached with Katherine Jackson in their undisclosed settlement. Concerns of whether or not Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father, would have a hand in the raising of the children seemed to cause concern among more than a few, and it was reported that Debbie Rowe was intent on Joe Jackson, who has been accused/alleged to have been a bit heavy handed and exploitative in his rearing practices, having as little to do with the rearing of the children as possible.

For his part, Joe Jackson issued a declaration that he would, for the most part, be an outsider in the rearing of the children.

Katherine Jackson's lawyer, Londell McMillan, rebuffed the efforts of both Klein and Lester. According to TMZ, he said, "These genetic lottery attempts aren't going anywhere. They have no legal standing. They may seek 5 seconds of fame but the claims have no merit."

But what if Arnold Klein and Mark Lester are the biological fathers of the two oldest children of Michael Jackson? Although it is doubtful that the definitive knowledge of paternity will affect the overall custodial status of the children, it could alter certain aspects of it, such as the parental right of visitation and consultation on important matters. However, unconfirmed rumors (Arnold Klein) and a daughter's photo (Mark Lester) notwithstanding, paternity must be established before anything else in the matter goes beyond the tabloid story stage.

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Paris Jackson and Harriet Lester photos are posted side-by-side at TMZ for a quick comparison.

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Sources:

TMZ.com
News of the World