Full Breakdown
Perez Hilton’s Mother Granted Temporary Custody; Father Allowed Supervised Visits
8/21/2026, 4:17:17 AM
Core Event: Court Orders Temporary Custody and Supervised Visitation
On Tuesday, August 18, Judge Laura Cruz of Miami-Dade County issued a confidential final judgment giving Perez Hilton’s mother, Teresita Lavandeira, temporary legal custody of his three children—Mario, 13; Mia, 11; and Mayte, 8. Hilton (legal name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.) remains the children’s sole legal parent but may see them only under supervised visitation after psychiatric clearance, overseen by a family member or therapist. Teresita now consents to medical, dental, psychiatric care and school enrollment decisions.
Background & Context
The custody change follows a mental-health crisis that began with a live-stream on August 4 in which Hilton appeared to self-harm. Police found him injured; he was treated for blood loss and an overdose and placed under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows involuntary detention for mental-health emergencies. His sister, Barbara Lavandeira, and the children were removed to a safe location shortly thereafter.
Timeline
- August 4 – Hilton streams self-harm; police respond.
- August 6 – Family confirms Barbara Lavandeira and the children were in the home moments before the stream.
- August 12 – Teresita files court papers seeking temporary custody, noting Hilton’s “voluntary consent.”
- August 16 – Barbara reports Hilton remains hospitalized and receiving treatment.
- August 18 – Judge Cruz grants temporary custody and outlines supervised visitation requirements.
Data & Statistics
- Children: Mario, 13; Mia, 11; Mayte, 8.
- Mother Teresita: 72.
- Father Perez Hilton: 48.
- Hospitalization included treatment for lacerations, blood loss, and an overdose.
- The Baker Act provides a 72-hour window for psychiatric evaluation before a possible involuntary placement hearing.
Official Statements & Responses
- Court Order (Judge Laura Cruz) – Authorizes Teresita to make all necessary medical, dental and psychiatric decisions for the children, including non-emergency surgery, and to enroll them in school. Hilton has no access to a cell phone, social media or the internet while in the inpatient facility.
- Lawyer Commentary (Mark Astor) – After discharge, doctors have a 72-hour period to decide on transfer to a psychiatric facility, voluntary release, or petition for involuntary placement. Any hearing on such a petition would be confidential.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He told us that a few days earlier, he had felt empty, hopeless and like he was a burden on everyone,” — Teresita Lavandeira
