Blogger Perez Hilton, whose legal name is Mario Armando Lavandeira, will be permitted supervised visits with his three children after a Miami court granted temporary custody to his mother, Teresita Lavandeira. The court order stipulates that Hilton must obtain psychiatric clearance before any visits can occur.
The ruling came after Hilton's mother filed a petition for temporary legal custody of Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, eight, following an incident on August 4 where Hilton livestreamed himself apparently self-harming with a knife. A Miami court agreed that Teresita Lavandeira, 72, should have extensive authority over the children's schooling, healthcare, and general care.
Judge Laura Cruz did not prohibit Hilton, 48, from seeing his children but mandated that such visits must be supervised, either by a family member or a therapist, until further court order or agreement between the parties, contingent on his psychiatric clearance. Hilton consented to this arrangement, which was entered as a confidential final judgment on August 18.
His parental rights have not been permanently terminated, and the court has retained jurisdiction. Judge Cruz indicated that further orders could be issued, including a potential transition plan to return custody to Hilton when he is deemed to have recovered.
Following the August 4 incident, Hilton was hospitalized for significant blood loss and other injuries. Police had responded to emergency calls at the Miami home he shares with his mother. According to a police report, Hilton's sister discovered him and removed the children from the home before Hilton allegedly engaged in further self-harm.
He was hospitalized under Florida's Baker Act, which allows for temporary involuntary detention for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. This act allows medical professionals a 72-hour window after discharge from initial hospital care to transfer him to a psychiatric facility for evaluation or seek his voluntary agreement to remain in treatment. If he is deemed not to be a risk to himself or others, he could be released.
Legal experts suggest that in such cases, a judge may order involuntary placement if the individual is deemed a risk, a process that would involve a hearing within five days. Such proceedings are typically confidential. Patients can be held for up to six months, though a 30-day order is considered more realistic in some instances. The family's involvement, including the potential for Teresita and Hilton's sister Barbara Giarraffa to act as legal guardians, could influence the outcome and allow them to manage his healthcare decisions outside of state intervention.
Previously, Hilton moved to Miami to focus on his family after a serious bout of sepsis that required hospitalization and surgeries. He had stated in a subsequent interview that the near-death experience led him to become a born-again Christian. A statement posted to his website indicated he remains hospitalized and is receiving care from medical and mental health professionals.