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Click here to watch a video report of the court hearing
Britney Spears failed to regain visiting rights to her two young sons after a chaotic Los Angeles custody hearing last night.
The singer missed the morning session of yesterday’s hearing arriving in the afternoon, only to leave before entering the building. Reports suggest the singer refused to enter the court room after becoming intimidated by the paparazzi.
"Move back. I'm scared. Stop it. Stop it. I want to get back in the car. Just stop it. Let me get in the car, please," Spears is reported to have told photographers before driving away in a 4 x 4 vehicle.
While neither Spears, 26, nor her former husband Kevin Federline, 29, were required to be in court for the hearing, the singer’s presence was considered key to her chances of regaining access to her children. Federline, sporting a new Mohawk hair style, was in court.
Spears had all access to her sons suspended after she refused to hand Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, over to Federline following a visit on January 3.
Police were called after the singer locked herself in a room with one of the boys. After a four-hour stand-off, she was strapped to a stretcher and taken to hospital by ambulance.
Behind closed doors, Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon yesterday heard a full day of testimony concerning the incident.
Allan Parachini, a spokesman for the court, said two Los Angeles police officers, Paula Strong, the court-appointed monitor who was present for the visit at Spears' home, and Lisa Hacker, a parenting coach who has been working with Spears and Federline testified. Lonnie Jones, Federline’s bodyguard who had been sent to collect the children on January 3 also gave evidence.
After ruling that the children should remain in the custody of Federline, the court commissioner set another hearing for February 19.
Outside court, Mark Vincent Kaplan, Federline's lawyer, said: "The word victory is not something Mr Federline or his counsel would ascribe to this. There is no joy. This is a grave situation for all."
Mr Kaplan said that Federline thought the ruling was correct, but added: "His goal, his hope for the future is at some point he will be able to parent the children with the participation of their mother."
Spears has also missed previous court hearings, including a court-ordered deposition on December 12 when she called in sick. She then arrived nearly two hours late to a lawyer's office on its rescheduled date, January 3.
The child star turned chart-topping singer has made headlines for her increasingly erratic behaviour since her marriage to Federline ended in late 2006. Last year, she shaved her head, attacked a car with an umbrella and used a designer dresses to clean up vomit while on a magazine photoshoot.
Her music career has survived the turmoil. Her latest album, Blackout, has won critical acclaim and new track, Piece of Me, is at number 17 on the UK singles chart.
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Brittany is just havening some bad time in the yeears so it's not her fault the way she is acting at all. If they would give her a break then she would be just find and teel the pazzpai would leave her a alone and stop making up lies on her.Some of those things are not true at all if there true them she has the to tell u or not
Carol, lillington, nc
brittany is going through something that millions of americans have gone through and are currently going through ...with her the amount of stress is higher due to her fame and glory..can she overcome her issues ....yes can she have her family again ..yes
if i could talk to brittany id tell her to stop let go and do what you have to do ..meaning get clean maybe move to another city start fresh ....plead wth kevin and get this taken care of out of the courts eyes and the americans eyes ..we the people have some blame for her episodes..she has not one moment to herself ....she can overcome all of this ...quit the drugs if your doing them quit the drinking if your doing it ..focus on you and the boys .....this is nothing that she hasnt heard but maybe coming from an average american it can make a differrence....i love her talents and deep down everyone does so many people talk down at her and her lifestyle only because they can ..if it was their neighbor would they be so concerned ...no
becky, grand island, nebraska
Brittany needs Jesus and lean upon him for guidance.My sister's husband left her and she has a 4 year old and she attempted suicide and it is a fight and if she holds on she will pull through this also. Pray and ask god for guidance.
Amanda, Benton, USA MO
This young woman is going to die unless someone can intervene. She's been used by so many. Even the current boyfriend is using her. Did you notice that the photos of him and her were supplied by his photo company.
If Britany is seriously ill, and I know ill because I was raised in it and I am it now. She cannot be with her children until she's diagnosed, treated and stable. It doesn't matter how much she loves them. She will not be able to love if she's mentally ill or suffering an addiction. I truly am praying for her because I believe I'm seeing her die a slow death. Life can be good Brit even with mental health issues and addictions with God, your family and your Dr involved in your life. You have to force yourself to gravitate to the good and healthy people to recover and stay well. God bless Britany and guide her to goodness.
anna, California
anna gutierrez, Bakersfield, us, ca
such a terrible tragedy how can anyone write that there is no sympathy for Brit? After the standoff with the police Jan 3, she was hospitalized and tested and found clean. Whatever is killing this lady internally needs to be addressed rather than the constant heckling from the paparazzi and the jeering headlines. All the money Fed has, comes from her. Nothing to suggest that he is in anyway responsible or reliable. Britney is really the victim all around, of the paparazzi, fed and herself. Lots worse people out there in this world, in any town in the US, you'll find somebody more abusive of their kids than Britney, but they'll never be dragged through the dirt or put in public eye in such a relentless, brutal manner.
It's crazy that the court did not provide her legal protection from paparazzi or means of transportation when its already well-known that she is panicking. She will end up dead yet just from anxiety attack. She reminds me of Callas. so similar
mary c, prague, cz
The judge needs to take serious action for Brittany and demand that she should be taken care of as she has been through alot.I honestly feel she went through post-patum depression after the babies.I definatly think k-Fed used her and just dumped her when he realised she was of NO use to him.God forbid he gets the kids he won't have to work for the rest of his life proud achievement for the so called father!!!The worst thing Britany ever did was marry that idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!She was doing well before he came along she picked up for him in an interview when everyone was slandering him yet he proves a sence of character when he leaves not too long after the baby was born!
Well not to mention his other baby moma who testifies he a good dad ....ofcourse so she can get piece of the cashflow from Brit.which she has really worked very hard for sooo sad.I pray that the judge does not take the kids away from her as he will be responsible for the consequences!!
I wiill always admire Britany
Chris, Los Angeles, los Angeles
while Britany is making serious mistakes what bugs me about all this is why no one is talking about federline. I suspect this guy determined to marry her with ulterior motives and has been mentally messing with her and getting away with it. he is slick.
why would he marry Britany and leave his girlfriend who was pregnant with his baby? what is wrong with this picture?
This is not right. I think Federline is behind all this. I feel sorry for the boys. :(
Laura, Montgomery, USA
After watching Brittney on her videos and how she has been behaving lately, I think that the children are better off being in someone elses custody. I have 2 boys and I would be in court every time anything was happening to my children. She needs to be a better role model and quit dressing and acting the way she does. Any mother who really cares about her children and wants them back would not act the way she does. I believe her not showing up and showing up at court late is only a way to get publicity. BAD PUBLICITY!!!! If I was the judge, she would really have to prove herself to me. I would like to know where her mother is through all of this. I would be there and so would Ms Brittney. And she would straighten herself up, I don't care how old she was. But, you never know, her mother may have a part in this fiasco!!!!
Cynthia Falwell, Lovington, USA/ New Mexico
Leave Britney ALONE... no seriously just stop devoting paper and electrons to this drivel!
Andy, Brisbane,
This girl is terrified...not only she has an addiction controlling he mind but she has all of those people in the way...she is scared to death. If they don't back off, she is going to end up dead! She won't and can't handle what is going on in her life. I truly believe that she just had too much responsability all at once...she had a baby and then she had a baby. Talk about the baby blues and waked out hormones folks! God is the only one that can save her.
Ro, Eufaula,, Al
I think that we need to just leave britney alone not to say that i agree with what she has done but that i do believe that. We need to look at the fact that htese are her children and who would or what mother would want to sit in a court room when you can't go anywhere with out someone fallowing you. I think that as a mother i can understand where she is at in that perspective. Also i know that if it was me in this situation that i wouldn't be followed like that or have my buisness known. so i think that people just need to leave her alone. And pray for her. I personally hope that she gets better and will keep on praying for her.
Brittany, Clifton forge, Virginia
I am so sick and tired of reading about B. Spears. She is on her way out, if she isn't there already. She is about to find out just how much money can buy!! She will loose it all and has noone to blame but herself. Lets hear news about people that matter and lets end this Spears thing it is really sickening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even her web site is dead....Wonder why??????
Al, Manchester, NH
I feel so sorry for this poor girl. She is pursued wherever she goes. People should allow her to live her life and let her get her life back on track, instead of interfering. Kevin Federline has taken advantage of her, yet I don't see the media criticising him. She is capable of being a great mother and even with all her troubles she is still making great music, which is more than can be said for Federline. People should stop critiscising her and allow her to be a mum. Her parents should hang their heads in shame, particularly the mother. Despite everything that's happended between them, Lynne should be supporting Britney and helping her. No wonder she's going through a rough patch. Britney is not a bad person.
Alex, lEICESTER, England
this girl shouldn't have had kids she does not treat them right and she is a very unfit mother
maria, victoria, texas
She needs help. She's been forced into this life by her parents, as has her sister, and when she tried to lead a normal life, having kids, settling down, she was, like all celebrities, torn to pieces for not keeping herself in shape. The pressure is too much and this latest episode where she was strapped to a stretcher just showed her as being a scared young girl, bewildered at what's happening to her. Press - leave her alone, parents - look after her before she does permanent damage to herself and/or her family.
Lynne, Northolt, UK
where is this girls family? Why haven't they publicly stepped in to help her? She is obviously failing at life miserably. Her mother and father should stop worrying about the paychecks their kids bring them, and focus on what really important. Shame on her family for letting it get this far.....
Jenny, Glenside, PA
This poor girl obviously has major issues ... unfortunately she has to deal with one of the lowest forms of human life ... the "paparazzi and gossip media". She needs absolute privacy and help at this time. Mistakes that many make in private, she's having to experience in a major way in public. Is everyone going to feel sorry for here when she becomes another "fatality" of the celebrity world ... a little too late when she's dead. Two unfortunate little boys will be without their mother. There's a lot of people who should feel ashamed about what's happening, not just Brittany Spears!!!
M. Davis, Hamilton, Canada
Suicide watch!
Current User, Dallas, TX
it true she hurting her boys the court giving her way to many chances!! if that was one of us we would not get a second chance , her husband kevin is doing what best for thier boys. she need to grow up (she want to be madonna please dont even try) madoona is for more better mom, ya madonna was wild before her kids she grew up .... brit need to get off drugs keep her legs close , she dont know how cause look at her parents they cant even make good choices
dee, albion, ri
Kaplan keeps saying this is not a victory. He is correct because if the court cuts Britney's parenting rights then K-Fed will have won sole custody and will not get any child support. He will have won the right to raise their kids with his own money. Add to that the fact that Britney had signed Jamie Lynn as sole beificiary if she dies. K-Fed still will not get her money. Britney is crazy alright...crazy like a fox.
Jodi, Shrewsbury MA, usa
Good job Britney
All this emotional turmoil in your life should give you plenty of material for your blues album
Robert, Hopatcong, USA
i'm addicted to u brit don't u know that i'm toxic
the fan, willemstad, N.A, curacao
Britney dates the paparazzi! She invites them to her home, yet uses them as an excuse to NOT go to court for her two sons...this girl is a train wreck or maybe she's a brain wreck. Get HELP!!!
Christi Bell, Osceola, Indiana
Somebody must be able to compell this woman to go & have some counselling! Or be committed, because she has seriously lost the plot.
She is another Dana Plato/Anna Nicole Smith waiting to happen. All of the parasites hanging around her, just want to feed over her ludicrious fame now, for their own benefit.
Why can't she see this? It's damanging her relationship with her sons. I seriously doubt she's going to make old bones, and the only memory her sons will have, is of an irrational, mad woman who turned her life & theirs into a media circus.
lg, London, UK
Honestly, I feel sorry for Britney... She is surrounded by people who want to protect her, however in my opinion they are only around her to protect their interest in fame for shame. I pray for you Britney, no child should be raised without their mother.
Take care and god bless you!!
Crystal, Flint, Michigan
i think she desvers all she gets because if shes gonna spend most of her time in hospitals and in rehabs then her sons wont want notin to do with her. If that was my mum i woudnt want to know her..
barbours, co armagh, n.ireland