NewsK-dad steps up
A judge orders Britney Spears to hand over her children to their father, Kevin Federline, until further notice.
Associated Press
Published October 2, 2007
LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears was ordered Monday to surrender custody of her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline.
Superior Court Judge Scott M. Gordon ruled that Federline will take custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, beginning Wednesday "until further order of the court."
The order stemmed from an oral motion made by Federline's attorneys and was handled in a closed-door hearing. Federline attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan raised the issue that Spears has been driving without a valid California license, celebrity news Web site TMZ.com reported.
The judge's order didn't state the reason for the change in custody, and all transcripts of the proceedings were ordered sealed.
Another hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, People reported on its Web site.
Phone messages left for representatives of Spears and Federline were not immediately returned Monday.
Spears, who had 50-50 custody with Federline, was seen around town with her children over the weekend, and on Sunday they had dinner at Taverna Tony, a Greek restaurant in Malibu, as a crush of paparazzi camped outside.
"She seemed fine," the restaurant's owner, Tony Koursaris, told People. "She was very comfortable having dinner here with her boys. ... The kids had a good time. Then we had to fight the paparazzi, of course."
Last month, Judge Gordon said Spears engaged in "habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol." He ordered the pop star to undergo random drug and alcohol testing twice a week as part of her ongoing custody dispute with Federline.
Spears also was previously ordered to meet weekly with a "parenting coach" who was to observe and report back to the court about her parenting skills. Both Spears and Federline must complete the court's "Parenting Without Conflict" class.
Spears, 25, and Federline, 29, were wed in October 2004. She filed for divorce last November, and it became official in July. The two had joint custody of their sons, but Federline is seeking a greater share of custody.
Since Spears became single, her troubles have played out in the tabloids.
First she was photographed at various Hollywood hot spots partying with Paris Hilton. Some photos captured Spears without panties.
Then Spears shaved her head, beat a car with an umbrella and ended up spending a month in rehab.
An MTV Video Music Awards performance last month meant to herald her comeback was universally panned.
The following week, Spears' management firm dropped her and her divorce lawyer resigned.
She then was charged with misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run and driving without a valid license for allegedly crashing into a parked car in August.
Spears' new album will be released Nov. 13.
[Last modified October 1, 2007, 23:25:05]
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