Katherine Jackson releases video taped interview on ABC

Katherine Jackson has finally broken her silence claiming the reason she hasn't checked in with her grandchildren for the past 10 days is because she simply didn't feel like using the phone.

Katherine Jackson is challenging the court ruling that temporarily stripped her of guardianship of Michael Jackson's children -- and claiming she never wanted TJ Jackson to step into the role, despite court documents stating otherwise.

In a taped segment for ABC's "Nightline", Katherine read prepared comments from a notebook, and said -- "Their ruling in court today was about the guardianship, and I think it was based on a bunch of lies. But I have a good idea who's doing that, who's behind it."

Katherine went on to say she spoke to TJ last night and "told him it wasn't necessary for him to go down and sign up for guardianship, but I don't know who instructed him to do that ... 'cause he wanted me to come home before that happened."

It's a strange statement because Katherine seems to be acknowledging she knew TJ was going to file for guardianship ... but not before she got home.

In fact, as we reported earlier, TJ stated in court docs that Katherine "supported" him taking steps to protect Michael's kids.

The whole TV segment seemed almost like a hostage situation as Katherine was surrounded by Janet, Jermaine, Rebbie, Rebbie's daughter and, for some reason, the marketing director for the Tucson spa where Katherine's been for more than a week. A local news reporter was in the room, but was not allowed to ask questions.

As for leaving Prince, Paris, and Blanket alone in L.A. -- Katherine claimed she left instructions about who was to take care of them while she was gone ... though she didn't name anyone specifically.

The 82-year old also said during her absence her assistant had been keeping in touch with her grandchildren -- and that she didn't personally call "because I just gave up my phone. I didn't want to have any phone calls."

"There are rumors going around about me that I have been kidnapped," she said, adding, "I am here today to let everybody to know that I am good and fine."

"My children would never do anything to me like that."

Sure they wouldn't ... 

When asked why she felt it was OK to leave 3 minor children in a house without a guardian .. Katherine explained she just felt like taking a "short vacation."

"One reason I didn't call is I just gave up my phone and I didn't want to have any phone calls while I was here."

It's unclear why she didn't TELL HER GRANDCHILDREN FIRST!

Still, Katherine says, "I am devastated that while I've been away, my grandchildren have been taken away from me, and I'm coming home."

TJ filed the docs with the court before today's hearing -- and in the papers, TJ claims Katherine was being manipulated by family members who were hellbent on controlling Katherine. 

In fact, TJ claims one of his aunts -- either Janet or Rebbie -- arranged for a person to IMPERSONATE A DOCTOR to convince Katherine to blow off a concert series and instead fly with her conspiratorial children to Arizona. 

TJ claims he had been assisting with the care of Michael Jackson's children and even before Katherine disappeared, she placed them in his care.

According to the docs, TJ claims he finally spoke with Katherine on July 24 -- and during the conversation, she "indicated to me that she supported me in taking steps that I deemed appropriate to protect Michael Jackson's children."

TJ was eventually awarded temporary guardianship over Paris, Prince and Blanket. 

After the hearing, Katherine contradicted TJ's story insisting she was "devastated" by the court's decision.