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...the truth about Michael Jackson, as I know and admire him.

She claims that Jackson is like a father to them and has been a tremendous help to Gavin, who has been battling cancer.

At no time has Gavin ever been treated with anything other than love, respect and the deepest kindness by Michael. Michael has been so important in Gavin being able to recover from cancer. His constant support, both practical and emotional, helped give my beautiful little boy the strength to fight his cancer.

A few of several similar statments by Janet Ventura-Arvizo in the article. If her son Gavin is the victim - and it certainly looks like he is - her words could present problems for the prosecution.

prisoner6

There are lots of rumors that this is the child. I am not sure that this will be so bad for the case, as at the time there is no telling what she really thought. I would suppose that since then she has discovered the truth about Michael and has a different view. If not, she is unfit as a parent. (actually, in my opinion, she should have known better to begin with)

She claims that Jackson is like a father to them

The boy already has a father, why would he need Jackson to be a father figure to him?

Critics, however, are bound to question Mrs Ventura-Arvizo's motives, particularly after she admitted receiving gifts from the star. She was unavailable for comment last night after being moved by the singer's aides to a secret location.

Could be she's afraid of facing charges of her own.

FYI...

found this on a similar thread on FARK.COM

prisoner6

Sunday Herald - 09 February 2003

ÔMichael is an angel ... I'm happy my kids stay with him'

Mother of Jackson's 12-year-old friend speaks out
By Karin Goodwin

The mother of Gavin Arvizo, the 12-year-old who sparked controversyÊbyÊrevealingÊhe shares a bedroom with Michael Jackson,ÊhasÊspokenÊoutÊin support of the beleaguered star.

JanetÊArvizoÊsaidÊsheÊis not worried and is happy leaving her children in Jackson's care. She added: ÒAll of my kids have stayed over with Michael. I am comfortable with that. They are happy with him and are hoping to travel the world with him. He is their angel.Ó

Surviving on benefits, single mother Arvizo brought up her threeÊchildrenÊDavelin,Ê16, Gavin, 12, and Star, 11, in a run-down district of Los Angeles before Jackson lifted the family out of poverty.

But it was Jamie Masada, who runs a summer camp for under privileged children which the Arvizos attended, who brought the family and Jackson together.

ÒThey were living in a stable with the hay and the horses for a long time,Ó Masada said.

When Gavin was diagnosed with cancer his spleen and one of his kidneys were removed and he was given just two weeks to live. Masada then asked him for a wish list of celebrities that he'd most like to meet.

Although Jackson came third onÊtheÊlist,ÊafterÊcomedians Adam Sandler and Chris Tucker, Masada contacted Quincy Jones who spoke to the singer and arranged a two-day visit for the family to the Neverland ranch.

The Arvizos now live in a comfortable flat and own a car paid for by Jackson and Gavin refersÊtoÊtheÊsingerÊasÊhis father, telling his mother: ÒI am living for my daddy, Michael.Ó

MasadaÊsaid:ÊÒNoÊmatter whatÊpeopleÊmayÊsayÊabout Michael Jackson, he came in and has helped this boy survive.

ÒGavin said they had fun and played games. Gavin is not a na•ve kid. He would have said if something bad had happened.Ó

In last week's documentary, Living With Michael Jackson, JacksonÊrevealedÊthatÊGavin and Star had shared his bed while he slept in a sleeping bag on the floor.

HeÊsaidÊheÊhadÊalsoÊhad child star Macaulay Culkin and his brothers and sisters to stay overnight, but said he believed he was doing nothing wrong.

ÒWhy can't you share your bed? The most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone,Ó he said in the show.

Yet in light of sexual allegations made against Jackson in 1993, when a 13-year-old boy accused him of abuse, many find his revelations worrying.

The singer reached a multi-million-dollarÊout-of-court settlement with the boy's family and the case remains Òopen butÊinactiveÓ,ÊaccordingÊto Santa BarbaraÊCountyÊdistrict attorney Thomas Sneddon.

Although Sneddon said last week it was not an offence in California to sleep in the same bed as a minor, the charity Prevent Child Abuse in California is seeking further investigations .

President Gloria Gruber said: ÒIn light of the fact that 10 years ago there was a pro secution, which was then drop ped, leads us to further concern.

ÒWe did actually request the district attorney to launch an investigation and to interview children, as well as parents of children,ÊwhoÊdoÊallow Michael to sleep over .Ó

But there has been a rush to support the star. Debbie Rowe, theÊmotherÊofÊhisÊfirstÊtwo children, described him as a Òwonderful, loving, caring manÓ who had been misrepresented.

BritishÊmotherÊGaynor Morgan, the daughter of former ScotlandÊandÊManchester UnitedÊfootballerÊWillie Morgan, said Jackson had been condemnedÊtooÊquickly.Ê To show her faith in him she plans to visit Neverland later this year with her 10-year-old son .

SalesÊofÊMichaelÊJackson's Greatest Hits have soared byÊ1000%ÊfromÊlastÊweek, accordingÊtoÊmusicÊexperts, suggesting the public are still supporting the singer.

Jackson has complained to TVÊwatchdogsÊaboutÊhis portrayalÊinÊtheÊfilmÊandÊa statementÊreleasedÊonÊhis behalf said:Ê ÒMichaelÊJacksonÊhas never, and would never, treat a childÊinappropriatelyÊor expose them to any harm, andÊtotallyÊrefutesÊany suggestions to the contrary.Ó