To Be Broadcast: Wednesday, July 8, 2009

New York, NY - July 8, 2009 - Michael Jackson's youngest child, Blanket, has been surrounded by mystery since the day he was born.  Many are speculating whether Jackson is the biological father, and who is Blanket's mother. 

INSIDE EDITION has obtained a copy of Blanket Jackson's birth certificate in 2002, listing his full name as Prince Michael Jackson II.

Michael Joseph Jackson is identified as the father, but the name of his mother is left blank.  Jackson himself couldn't keep things straight about her identity.   It's documented that he contradicted himself by saying that the mother is someone with whom he's had a relationship, but he also says he used a surrogate mother, and that they didn't know each other.

Over the years, there have been various reports about Blanket's mother: that she's European, specifically German, that she's bi-racial, and Jackson himself said she's African-American.

INSIDE EDITION has learned that Blanket was born at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in San Diego, leading to speculation that his mother may actually live in Southern California.

INSIDE EDITION has also learned that Blanket was delivered by Dr. Maria Castillo, whose name is on the birth certificate.  One of her colleagues is fertility specialist Dr. Lila Schmidt.  She says the surrogate mother may not know the little boy she gave birth to is the now famous Blanket Jackson.

Dr Schmidt: "It's highly likely that it was anonymous.  But by watching TV, looking at the birth certificate she can probably figure out, ‘I delivered Michael Jackson's child.'"

Even if Blanket's surrogate mother does come forward, legal experts say she would almost certainly have no claim to him.

Dr. Schmidt: "She would have signed off all her parental rights."

Jackson wasn't present for the birth, but Dr. Schmidt tells INSIDE EDITION a lawyer for Jackson took custody of Blanket immediately after the birth.

Along with his older brother and sister, Blanket, at least for now, is in the custody of Jackson's mother, Katherine, just as Jackson wanted.

Check local listings for times.

INSIDE EDITION is produced daily at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and produced and distributed by CBS Television Distribution, a unit of CBS Corp.

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