Perez Hilton's Mother Files for Temporary Custody of His Three Children

Perez Hilton's mother has filed for temporary custody of his three children, according to Miami-Dade court records, as the celebrity blogger remains hospitalized following a mental health crisis at his Westchester home earlier this month.

The filing comes about ten days after Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies responded to Hilton's home on Aug. 4 following multiple 911 calls reporting that he was livestreaming acts of self-harm on TikTok. Hilton, 48, whose legal name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was seen in the video covered in blood and holding what appeared to be a knife, according to NBC News. Viewers of the stream pleaded with him and asked for his phone number so they could alert authorities before TikTok pulled the video.

Deputies arrived at the home and were heard on surveillance footage calling out "Mario, Mario! Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office! Step out of the house!" as they worked to confirm he was alone inside and to talk him out safely. Investigators later confirmed Hilton had made statements during the livestream including "This is what you all wanted" and "It will be interesting to see what happens after you die." He was taken to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for treatment and was involuntarily committed under Florida's Baker Act for psychiatric evaluation.

Separate reporting has indicated that Hilton's children fled the house before the livestream began, though the sheriff's office has not detailed what led up to the incident or where the children were during it.

Hilton's family said in a statement posted to his website two days after the incident that he was able to communicate, calling it a source of hope after what they described as a heartbreaking and confusing stretch with little information from authorities. "This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family," the statement read. "While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful."

A follow-up update posted that Saturday said Hilton's condition was serious but stable and that he had lost significant blood and sustained injuries that would require surgery in the coming days. "His treatment and recovery will be a long process," a family spokesperson wrote, adding that Hilton had been able to spend time with his mother and sister. The family said his three children were safe and cared for, and asked for privacy to focus on his recovery and on "everyone affected by this situation."

The filing seeks to establish who will care for the children while Hilton undergoes treatment and surgery. Court records reviewed show his mother is asking for temporary custody, though the filing does not specify a hearing date or outline the arrangement she's seeking beyond the interim period. Miami-Dade family court records in custody matters involving minors are often sealed from public view beyond basic case information, so further details of the petition were not immediately available.

Hilton founded the gossip website PerezHilton.com in the 2000s and later expanded into television and radio work. He has three children.

Neighbors in the Westchester neighborhood where the incident unfolded described shock at seeing the heavy law enforcement presence that surrounded the home for more than a day. Dr. Maria Granadillo, who lives nearby, told Local 10 News she felt sad and scared for him as deputies and crisis units worked the scene.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has not released additional details about the case beyond confirming Hilton was Baker Acted and treated at the hospital. No court date for the custody petition had been made public as of this week. Hilton's family has said it will share further updates on his recovery "as we receive confirmed information and are able to do so," but has not commented directly on the custody filing.

Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org.