From the closet

The boy who authorities say was molested by Michael Jackson reported the pop star’s alleged behaviour to a therapist, who in June infor...

The boy who authorities say was molested by Michael Jackson reported the pop star’s alleged behaviour to a therapist, who in June informed Santa Barbara, California, County Sheriff’s Office, a source close to the boy’s family said on Friday.

The boy met Jackson while he was undergoing treatment for cancer and alleges the ‘‘King of Pop’’ served him wine before molesting him several times last winter during visits to Jackson’s Santa Ynez Valley compound, according to a source. The boy, who will turn 14 next month, was 12 at the time of the alleged crime. The source said the boy’s mother began growing suspicious of his relationship with Jackson early this year, around the time ABC broadcast a documentary about the singer.

In the documentary, shown February 6, the boy and Jackson are shown holding hands and talking about sleepovers at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Within a few weeks, the source said, the mother had consulted an attorney. The boy’s relationship with Jackson was a subject of discussion in the media earlier this year when the pair appeared in the documentary. ‘‘There was one night I asked him if I could stay in the bedroom. And he let me stay in the bedroom,’’ the boy told interviewer Martin Bashir. Jackson said the boy slept in his bed while he slept on the floor.

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Jackson surrendered to Santa Barbara authorities on Thursday after a warrant was issued. Prosecutors said they plan to charge him with multiple counts of child molestation, though they would not be more specific. After being booked and giving up his passport, he posted $3 million bail and was released.

The popstar’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, said he plans to meet Jackson at Neverland Ranch. Geragos said Jackson is innocent and will fight charges in court. Meanwhile, LA attorney Gloria Allred filed a complaint with Child Welfare authorities on Friday, asking them to investigate whether Jackson’s children should be removed from his care. —LAT-WP

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