Perez Hilton's mother, Teresita Lavandeira, has filed a petition seeking temporary custody of the celebrity blogger's three minor children, according to TMZ. The filing comes days after Hilton, 48, was hospitalized following a livestream that prompted police intervention at his Miami home.
Custody Petition Filed to Protect Children's Privacy
In the petition, Lavandeira has also requested that court records be sealed to protect the children's privacy. She reportedly stated: 'The children in this case should not be subjected to any further trauma related to the incidents that are the basis of the petition.'
The development follows a series of events that began with a livestream in which Hilton appeared to be experiencing a serious mental health crisis. Members of the public raised concerns, leading police to attend the property on Tuesday.
Family Confirms 'Serious but Stable' Condition
Hilton's family later confirmed he remained in a 'serious but stable' condition in hospital. They said his three children, as well as his sister and niece, had been forced to leave the home to prevent them from 'witnessing any further trauma.'
In a statement shared on his website on Saturday, his family said his recovery was expected to be a 'long process.' They stated: 'Perez's condition remains serious but stable. He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days. His treatment and recovery will be a long process.'
Children's Wellbeing a Priority
The family emphasized that Hilton had been able to spend time with his mother and sister, but communication with him remained 'extremely limited and confined to immediate family, medical providers, and others directly involved in his care.' They also stressed that Hilton had not spoken to the media or released any public statements since being hospitalized.
In an earlier statement, the family placed particular emphasis on the wellbeing of Hilton's children following what they described as a 'severe mental health crisis.' They said: 'Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced. An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy.'
Background and Career
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office previously confirmed officers had responded to reports concerning a man who was livestreaming while apparently harming himself. Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, is a father to three children – a son and two daughters – who were born via surrogate.
Hilton first rose to prominence during the 2000s through his celebrity gossip website, becoming one of the most recognisable figures of the era's online entertainment culture. He later expanded into television and has appeared on reality shows including Celebrity Rap Superstar and Celebrity Big Brother.
