Perez Hilton’s Kids Were with Him ‘Just Minutes Before’ He Filmed Troubling Livestream, Family Says

Perez Hilton’s family fled the blogger’s Miami home just moments before he began harming himself in a livestream on Tuesday.

via: EW

In a new statement posted on PerezHilton.com on Thursday, Hilton’s family said “the events of the past several days have been nearly unbearable” before detailing what happened ahead of his hospitalization on Tuesday evening.

“Just minutes before the public livestream incident, Perez’s children, niece, and sister were inside the home. When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma,” the statement read.

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Hilton’s rep for further comment.

Hilton (born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.) has three children—Mario, 13, Mia Alma, 11, and Mayte Amor, 9—whom he welcomed via surrogacy. He recently moved from Las Vegas to Miami with his mother, Teresita Lavandeira. His sister, Barbara “Barbie” Lavandeira, was reportedly visiting.

“Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced,” the statement on PerezHilton.com continued. “An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy.”

The family added, “For the children’s safety, privacy, and well-being, we respectfully ask members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to leave the area surrounding the family’s home and not return. Please allow his children the privacy and space they need during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Hilton’s family and team said they will continue to provide updates on his condition on PerezHilton.com and thanked followers for their “compassion, understanding, and continued prayers.”

Hilton is now hospitalized and “receiving medical care” following the incident, which authorities in a 911 audio dispatch obtained by Page Six referred to as a “suicide attempt.”

On Tuesday, a disturbing livestream showing Hilton initiating self-harm began to circulate on social media. Following multiple calls to local police, Argemis Colome, a detective with the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Public Affairs Office, told EW that Hilton was ultimately “transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention.”

According to PEOPLE, emergency services spent four hours responding to the incident.

On Wednesday, Hilton’s longtime friend and The Perez Hilton Podcast cohost Chris Booker shared an update with listeners.

“I am so profoundly sad for Perez and his family and what they’re all going through It’s truly unimaginable,” Booker began his statement posted on Instagram.

He noted that he has spoken to the family “briefly” but is aware that they are “struggling to get updates due to the confidential security measures in place at the hospital.”

In respect to their podcast and future episodes, Booker said, “It’s all TBD at the moment as our collective focus is on his health. I certainly hope to continue them with my friend when the time is appropriate… the support from our listeners has been resounding. He is very loved. I can only hope that he feels it. Heal up friend.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.