KATHERINE JACKSON
I Wasn't Kidnapped
... I Just Needed a Break

BREAKING NEWS

Katherine Jackson has finally broken her silence ... claiming the reason she hasn't checked in with her grandkids for the past 10 days is because she simply didn't feel like using the phone.

She also sounds like she's full of crap.

Jackson just finished up an on-camera interview with "ABC News" ... and talked about the family drama that's transpired since she mysteriously ditched MJ's kids 10 days ago ... and wound up in Arizona.

"There are rumors going around about me that I have been kidnapped," Jackson said ... adding, "I am here today to let everybody to know that I am good and fine."

"My children would never do anything to me like that."

Sure they wouldn't ...

When asked why she felt it was OK to leave 3 minor children in a house without a guardian .. Katherine explained she just felt like taking a "short vacation."

"One reason I didn't call is I just gave up my phone and I didn't want to have any phone calls while I was here."

It's unclear why she didn't TELL HER GRANDKIDS FIRST!

Still, Katherine says ... "I am devastated that while I've been away, my grandchildren have been taken away from me, and I'm coming home."

So, we gotta ask ..

JOE JACKSON 
SQUATTER

EXCLUSIVE

Joe Jackson has been living at the famous Jackson compound in Encino recently ... but no one knows how he got in ... and it appears he's a garden variety squatter.


As we previously reported, Joe was seen entering the home today ... and yesterday, it appeared the home got a visit from some medical personnel ... presumably to perform some tests on Joe.


The house is owned by the Michael Jackson Estate. Katherine Jackson has no legal claim to the property.


Sources tell TMZ ... the Estate is paying $30,000 per month for the Calabasas home where Katherine and Michael's kids have been living.


The only way Joe could be living in the Encino house legally is if he got permission from the Estate  ... and sources connected with the Jackson family tell TMZ ... no such permission was ever given.


Sources tell us ... it ain't the Ritz because the house is currently undergoing extensive renovation.


Bottom line ... Joe Jackson + lots of sawdust = not a pretty picture.

TJ JACKSON
Katherine WANTED ME 
to Take the Kids

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS

Katherine Jackson SUPPORTED TJ Jackson's efforts to obtain temporary guardianship of Michael Jackson's 3 children ... so says TJ in court docs obtained by TMZ.

TJ filed the docs with the court before today's hearing -- and in the papers, TJ claims Katherine was being manipulated by family members who were hellbent on controlling Katherine.

In fact, TJ claims one of his aunts -- either Janet or Rebbie -- arranged for a person to IMPERSONATE A DOCTOR to convince Katherine to blow off a concert series and instead fly with her conspiratorial children to Arizona.

TJ claims he had been assisting with the care of MJ's children since MJ died ... and even before Katherine disappeared, she placed them in his care.

According to the docs, TJ claims he finally spoke with Katherine on July 24 -- and during the conversation, she "indicated to me that she supported me in taking steps that I deemed appropriate to protect [MJ's children]."

TJ was eventually awarded temporary guardianship over Paris, Prince and Blanket.

After the hearing, Katherine contradicted TJ's story ... insisting she was "devastated" by the court's decision.

KATHERINE JACKSON
'DRUGGED' UP

EXCLUSIVE

Katherine Jackson called her home in Calabasas at 2 AM today and again at 4 AM, sounding "drugged" and ordering that the security team be fired and replaced by Janet Jackson's security ... TMZ has learned.

A lawyer in court today made reference to "an incident" last night -- this is the incident.  Sources involved in the situation tell TMZ ... people in the house were "alarmed and nervous" after hearing Katherine sounding heavily drugged.

In addition to attempting to 86 the security team, Katherine ordered Trent Jackson off the property.  You may recall, Jackson's security -- and Trent in particular -- thwarted Monday's attempt by Randy, Jermaine and Janet to take the kids to Arizona.

Our sources say the prevailing view is that Randy and company have drugged their mom.

We're also told Jackie Jackson is furious at his conspiratorial siblings for what they've done and what they are trying to do.

We were unable to get Randy for comment. 

Katherine's lawyer, Perry Sanders, tells TMZ ... "I'm waiting on Katherine to get back in town and I'm looking forward to getting a hold of her to ascertain what's been going on."


2:43 PM PT -- Randy Jackson has gone to Twitter ... claiming Katherine fired Trent and her security team at 9 PM last night ... NOT between 2AM and 4AM this morning.

He makes no reference to allegations she was "drugged up" during the phone call ... but Randy does say he was on the phone with Rebbie when it all went down.

Randy also claims TJ had ASKED Katherine for temporary guardianship last night ... but Katherine flat out turned him down ... saying, "NO TJ."