Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch 'could be turned into a rehab centre for sexually abused children'

  While some potential buyers are hoping to get their hands on Michael Jackson’s former home, Neveland Ranch, and turn it into a shrine to the late star, one bidder is hoping to turn it into a therapy camp for young victims of sexual abuse, according to reports.
A local businessman has reportedly offered “in the neighborhood of $40 million” to turn the former home into a rehab centre for the $75 million property.

“His goal is for the place to be used to help children in a serene setting recover from the trauma of sex abuse,” the source told Page Six.com.

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Michael Jackson's 'Neverland' home

“The plan is to have children come there for treatment, and they will also hire trained therapists who would help the victims through the use of equine-assisted therapy, which works to improve the kids’ self-esteem, and it helps them to become more outgoing.”

The 2,700-acre property has bittersweet memories for the Jackson family, as it once was home to an amusement park, a two-storey arcade, candy stores, a cinema, and orangutans, llamas, a lion, snakes, horses and elephants, but it was also where Jackson was accused of luring children.
Jackson, who died at the age of 50 in 2009, was never convicted of crimes against children.

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Neverland

The year before his death Neverland Ranch was seized by Colony Capital from Jackson, who had accrued a lot of debt.
Jackson’s family, in particular his 16-year-old daughter Paris still visits her father’s former home.
Making the 100-mile visit from the family’s home in Calabasas, Paris even reportedly planted a Zen garden where the ranch’s Ferris wheel was.

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Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch is up for grabs

It’s been reported that California officials are considering turning the 2,700-acre property into a state park, but the $75 million price tag is a bit much, according to William Etling, a local real-estate broker.
A number of the bids feature proposals to make the Neverland Ranch into a shrine for the Earth Song singer.
One of the bidders reportedly boasts a large collection of Jackson memorabilia including sequinned gloves and white socks.
“We know of two bids, one with multiple partners, who want to make it a shrine to Michael Jackson, a Graceland-type thing,” said the source close to the sale process.

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Paris Jackson still visits the ranch

“However, it’s unlikely that Michael’s estate would allow that to happen because they’d have to grant permission to use Michael’s likeness.”
A representative for the Jackson estate revealed that they are still extremely upset over the ranch.
“We are frustrated, bitterly disappointed and saddened that it has come to this,” they said.
“Sadly, Michael lost control of Neverland during his life as a result of advice from a former manager.”