Teresita Lavandeira, the mother of Cuban-American blogger Pérez Hilton, has filed a request in Miami-Dade courts for temporary custody of her three grandchildren.
Court records accessed by Telemundo 51 indicate that the request was made shortly after the blogger, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was involved in a serious self-harm incident broadcast live on TikTok from his home in Westchester, South Florida.
The court documents, submitted on August 7, list the three children as Mario Jr., 13; Mia Alma, 11; and Mayte Amor, eight.
Pérez Hilton himself has voluntarily agreed to this arrangement, signing documents acknowledging that the temporary custody is "in the best interest of the children."
Family's Focus on Children's Safety
Natalie F. Guerra-Valdés, the attorney representing the mother, stated that the family's primary focus is ensuring the children's safety.
"The main concern and objective is to protect the children and make sure they are okay. We want them to experience a sense of normalcy as they begin their healing process following last week's tragic events," she emphasized.
If the request is approved, Teresita Lavandeira would have the authority to make medical, dental, and educational decisions for the three minors, as well as access their school and health records.
The family has also requested that the court seal the case to prevent further harm to the children.
The documents specify that Hilton can request to regain legal custody at any time, although he might have to complete a transition plan before doing so.
Understanding Temporary Custody Mechanisms
Family attorney Claudia Cobreiro, who is not directly involved in the case, explained to Telemundo 51 that such a mechanism is rare but available for situations where the sole legal guardian cannot fulfill their role.
"This is a request made when we are still uncertain about how long this situation might last or what long-term needs the person losing custody might have," she clarified.
The Disturbing TikTok Incident
The incident that sparked the custody request occurred on the night of August 4, when Pérez Hilton streamed live what appeared to be a self-harm episode from his Westchester residence.
The live stream showed the influencer covered in blood, with visible cuts on his arms, torso, and face, holding what seemed to be a knife.
Thousands of viewers witnessed the event live and began alerting the authorities. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office received numerous calls and classified the event as a suicide attempt.
The police operation lasted nearly four hours. Officers managed to enter the home around 11:00 PM and transported Hilton by ambulance at approximately 11:30 PM. The Baker Act, which permits involuntary psychiatric evaluation in Florida, was applied to him.
TikTok removed the video and permanently banned the Cuban-American's account for violating community guidelines.
The family stated that by the time the incident began, the three children and two other relatives had already left the house.
On August 8, the family announced that Hilton was in "serious but stable" condition and would require surgery in the coming days due to significant blood loss and injuries sustained.
The episode follows several months of severe health issues. In March, the blogger spent 21 days hospitalized due to a life-threatening sepsis originating from a perforated ulcer. Weeks later, he underwent emergency surgery for a massive deep vein thrombosis.
It was specifically to recover and be close to his family that Hilton, 48, and the son of Cuban immigrants, relocated from Las Vegas to Miami with his mother and three children, over whom he has sole legal custody as a single father.
FAQs on the Pérez Hilton Incident
Why did Pérez Hilton’s mother file for temporary custody of the children?
Following a disturbing self-harm incident involving Pérez Hilton that was broadcast on TikTok, his mother filed for temporary custody to ensure the safety and well-being of her three grandchildren.
What authority would Teresita Lavandeira have if the custody request is approved?
If the court approves the request, Teresita Lavandeira would have the authority to make medical, dental, and educational decisions for the children and access their school and health records.
What happened during Pérez Hilton’s TikTok live stream?
During the live stream, Pérez Hilton appeared to self-harm, showing visible cuts and holding a knife, prompting viewers to alert authorities. The police intervened, and he was hospitalized under the Baker Act for psychiatric evaluation.