Court Ruling Regarding Custody
A Florida judge has officially granted Teresita Lavandeira, the mother of celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, temporary custody of his three children: 13-year-old Mario, 11-year-old Mia, and 8-year-old Mayte. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, August 18, by Judge Laura Cruz in Miami-Dade County, authorizes Teresita to handle all matters regarding the children's care.
While the court maintains that Hilton (born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.) remains the children's legal parent, the current arrangement shifts custodial responsibilities to his mother. The court order further stipulates that any visitation between the father and his children must be supervised by a mutually agreed-upon family member or a therapist until further notice, and is contingent upon Hilton obtaining psychiatric clearance.
Regarding medical decisions, the judge specified: «[Teresita] shall have authority to consent to all necessary and reasonable medical and dental care for the children, including nonemergency surgery and psychiatric care.»
Context Behind the Legal Decision
The transition in custody followed an initial filing by Teresita on August 12, in which she noted that the 48-year-old blogger had voluntarily consented to the temporary transfer of custody. This legal development follows a distressing incident that took place on August 4, during which Hilton allegedly performed acts of self-harm while broadcasting live on TikTok.
Following the broadcast, Miami-Dade police responded to his Florida residence due to reports of a possible suicide attempt. It was later revealed that Hilton’s sister, Barbara Lavandeira, had been at the home with the children shortly before the incident occurred. According to the family, Barbara removed the children from the scene to prevent them from experiencing further trauma.
Recovery Process
Following the incident, Hilton was hospitalized and underwent surgery for serious injuries. Reports also indicate he received treatment for an overdose. While his family confirms he is able to communicate, his recovery is expected to be a long process.
In a recent interview with a media source, Barbara Lavandeira emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: «He has no access to a cell phone, social media or the internet. Everyone’s focus is on helping him recover physically and making sure he receives the mental and emotional care and support he needs.»
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