Debbie Rowe considers bid for custody of Michael Jackson's 2 older children

"Because she is Jewish, Deborah feared the children might be mistreated if Michael continued his association," the court said.

Court battles

In 2005, Jackson took the children to Bahrain, and Rowe went to court to protest. Her lawyer said she worried about the children being in Bahrain.

Jackson's lawyers contended she was merely after money.

"I have not received the monies due me under the terms of the judgment . . .," she told the court that year.

Court records show that Rowe started a horse-breeding business in May 2005 in Palmdale, where she moved into a modest, ranch-style house. Jackson gave her more than $250,000 the following month. She paid a $165,000 American Express bill and some attorney's fees, and by the end of the year, the money was all spent, she told the court.

She said she did not have health insurance, and from 2001 to 2005 had spent $16,776 on prescriptions.

Jackson's lawyers countered that Rowe had "discretionary spending of at least $59,000 per month." And court records also contain an allegation that she spent $35,000 a month on care for her dogs.

While trying to regain custody, Rowe gave a televised interview to CBS. She was shown with her many dogs -- "the kids" -- in a Beverly Hills home that Jackson gave her. The video showed several of the dogs swimming in an attractive pool in the lush backyard.

Inside the house were framed photographs of the dogs. There were none of her children because, she told "The Insider," that was part of the deal she made with Jackson when she gave up custody.

"Those personal pictures have been taken down," Rowe said.

Rowe became teary when she discussed her concerns for her children.

"My biggest fears I can't talk about," Rowe said. "And my biggest fear is that those fears happen and I can't stop it."

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maura.dolan@latimes.com

jessica.garrison@latimes.com

Times staff writer Ann M. Simmons contributed to this report.