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Content warning: This story includes mention of self-harm.<\/p>\n
The mother of celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has taken legal action to ensure the care of his three children after his public mental health crisis unfolded on social media earlier this month.<\/p>\n
The Miami-Dade court case database confirms that Hilton\u2019s mother Teresita Lavandeira filed a petition for temporary custody over three minor children on Aug. 7. Page Six first reported on Lavandeira\u2019s petition and reports that Hilton (born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.) \u201cvoluntarily consented\u201d to his mother\u2019s petition for custody. She also reportedly requested the case documents to be sealed to allow the family to \u201cprivately heal and move forward from this unfortunate incident.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lavandeira filed her petition days after Miami police responded on Aug. 4 to calls concerning a disturbing TikTok video livestream that apparently showed a bloodied Hilton harming himself repeatedly with a box cutter and knife. Fans and moderators from the social platform were among those who called authorities. Officials reported to Hilton\u2019s home in Miami at around 9 p.m. and \u201csafely recovered\u201d and transported the the resident to a local hospital where he received care.<\/p>\n
The Miami-Dade Sheriff\u2019s Office told The Times in an emailed statement that it received an influx of calls Tuesday reporting that an individual was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.<\/p>\n
In a statement published to Hilton\u2019s website, his family said the days since the incident had been \u201cnearly unbearable,\u201d noting that Hilton\u2019s children, niece and sister were inside the home at the time of the disturbing social media stream. Hilton\u2019s family said in the statement that healing for his children and niece is their highest priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cFor the children\u2019s safety, privacy, and well-being, we respectfully ask members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to leave the area surrounding the family\u2019s home and not return. Please allow his children the privacy and space they need during this unimaginably difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hilton\u2019s family also shared that, although very little information on Perez\u2019s condition has been provided to them, they had been able to confirm that he \u201cis able to communicate,\u201d which they say has given them hope during \u201cthis heartbreaking time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The family said in another statement published Saturday that Hilton remains hospitalized and denied reports of any public statements from the blogger. The family also said that Hilton\u2019s condition \u201cremains serious but stable\u201d and added that he suffered \u201csignificant\u201d blood loss and additional injuries that will require surgery. The statement also urged members of the media and public to avoid gathering outside the family\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
The statement concluded: \u201cThank you for your continued support, compassion, and understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Times staff writer Emily St. Martin contributed to this report<\/p>\n
Suicide prevention and crisis counseling resources<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional or call 988. The nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline will connect callers with trained mental health counselors. Or text \u201cHOME\u201d to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.<\/p>\n