Michael Jackson’s parents say he’s innocent of the child molestation allegations against him, and have offered to adopt his children if they’re taken away from him.
“Some people are trying to accuse him of being a pedophile, and that is not true,” Katherine Jackson said in an interview on ABC’s “20/20.”
“You know he was strong, he said, ’Mother, don’t worry, it’s not the truth,”’ Mrs. Jackson said. “But I told him you don’t know these wicked people, the people are just mean and wicked.”
“Knowing Michael, as a father, I know that he doesn’t do things like that,” Joe Jackson added. “His mother knows it, too.”
The pop singer was booked Nov. 20 on suspicion of molesting a boy at his Neverland Ranch outside Santa Barbara, Calif. He has denied the allegations and was released on $3 million bail. He has not been charged.
In the interview, which is part of a documentary airing Monday night in the United Kingdom on ITV, Jackson’s parents said they hoped authorities wouldn’t take the singer’s three children away from him.
When asked whether they would try to adopt the two boys and a girl if that happens, his mother answered, “Oh yes. Oh yes.”
Joe Jackson added, “Well ... they’re my grandkids. I have to.”