Jumat, 04 Januari 2008

K-Fed Courts Change to Spears' Custody (E! Online)

Los Angeles (E! Online) - In the wake of Britney Spears bizarre late-night custody standoff and subsequent lockdown at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, its nice to know there are some activities we can always count on going off without a hitch.

Like Mark Vincent Kaplan appearing at Los Angeles Superior Court for the requisite emergency hearing in Kevin Federlines ongoing custody battle with Spears.

Hours after Spears was placed on a minimum 72-hour hold at the Los Angeles hospital to undergo psychological and physical testing, K-Feds attorney was back in court, reportedly seeking to strip the troubled mother of two of her remaining custody and visitation rights.

Kaplan and Spears attorney Tara Scott met with Court Commissioner Scott Gordon in a closed-door session for just 20 minutes this morning and are expected to return at 1:30 p.m. to continue proceedings.

Exactly what those proceedings will be remains to be seen, however, as Kaplan publicist Michael Sands informed the press that the attorney would not be issuing any statements whatsoever on the Spears matter.

He feels at this time it would be inappropriate for him to speak to the media, and Im sorry, but we will not be doing any press today, Sands said outside the courthouse.

While he did confirm that Kaplan was at the hospital early Friday morning, he refused to answer questions pertaining to Spears, the Federline children, whether Kaplan was, as widely reported, at Spears Studio City home last night or any specific legal action Kaplan may seek or has already sought.

I cant confirm anything, he said. Thats the best I can do for anyone.

He did, however, comment on the state of mind of at least one of the sagas players.

Marks fine. Mark is a real pro. He has to do what he has to do.

In court to defend Spears, or at least represent her, was Scott, a family attorney at Trope & Trope, which on Wednesday filed court documents seeking to be released as the singers counsel, citing a breakdown in communication.

The 29-year-old Federline already has primary physical custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, with Spears allowed a handful of visits with the boys during the week, under the watchful eye of a court-appointed monitor.

Spears joint custody of the boys was first downgraded last October after she failed to comply with Gordons orders, which included a series of random drug tests.

Late Thursday, Spears refused to return the boys to Federlines bodyguards, locking herself in a room with youngest son Jayden. Police were called to the scene and determined her to be under the influence of an unknown substance

Spears was detained by police and then transported via ambulance to Cedars-Sinai. She remains under a 5150 hold, which, per the medical code, is enforced when any person, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled.

Per authorities, Spears will remain at the hospital for at least three days while she undergoes evaluation.