@yournewssource: James Debarge Refuses to Confirm or Deny Fathering A Child With Janet Jackson James Debarge tell his side of the story and plays coy when asked if he and Janet Jackson had a child together... The rumors of Janet Jackson having a secret baby with James DeBarge in the 1980s were addressed in her documentary, "Janet Jackson." She denied having a secret child, explaining that the rumors stemmed from her gaining weight while taking birth control pills during her marriage to DeBarge. Jackson stated she could not have kept a child from DeBarge, and the rumors morphed into various stories, including one where her niece Brandy was the secret child. James DeBarge has also spoken about the rumors, and his family has fueled them, but ultimately, Janet Jackson has refuted them.