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As the fate of Michael Jackson's kids remains up in the air until a July 20 custody hearing, a longtime friend of the King of Pop, who traveled with the singer, tells me that Michael would have wanted his three children to be raised by his mother, Katherine.

"He trusted his mother with them completely," the insider says.

While Michael may have had problems with his father, Joe, "Katherine was always a guiding force in Michael's life - she was beloved by him. Paris, Prince and Blanket should stay with her."

"Michael was a truly kind person deep down and he just wanted to love and be loved - he finally got that from his children," the pal continues. "They were his everything and he did whatever he could to make sure they were happy."

"While he had an intense problem with drugs, the children were always safe, happy and comfortable - and untouched by his demons. Despite everything, Michael took care of those children as a proper, loving father and there was normalcy in their little family."

The insider is convinced that Katherine, not his ex-wife Debbie Rowe, should get custody of Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7. "Katherine will certainly keep Michael's memory alive for the three of them."

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