Britney Spears' custody suspended

Jan 15, 2008, 12:30 GMT

Britney Spears (C) gets back into her vehicle after arriving at the LA County Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, California, USA, 14 January 2008. Spears was required by the court to attend a hearing regarding visitation rights for her two children. When Spears arrived at the front door of the courthouse, her vehicle was besieged by news photographers and reporters causing her to get back in the vehicle and leave the area. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Britney Spears' visitation rights to her sons remain suspended "indefinitely" after she fled a custody hearing yesterday (14.01.08).

The 'Gimme More' singer arrived at Los Angeles' Superior Court four hours late, and left almost immediately to escape the throng of paparazzi outside the court.

She screamed: "Move back. I'm scared. I want to get back in the car. Let me get back in the car, please."

Commissioner Scott M. Gordon - who heard testimonies from Britney's ex-husband Kevin Federline as well as the police and emergency service personnel who witnessed her meltdown earlier this month - was reportedly "deeply concerned that her instability posed a danger to her children."

He ruled that Kevin maintain sole custody of two-year-old Sean Preston and 16-month-old Jayden James and set a date for a trial in the custody case in April.

Kevin's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan said: "The word victory is not something Mr. Federline or his counsel would ascribe to this situation.

"His hope is that he will be able to parent the children at some point in the future with participation from the mother."

After fleeing the court house, Britney visited Los Angeles' Little Brown Church with her paparazzo boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, 35, where she lit a candle and prayed, according to assistant pastor Michael Kosik.

A note left in a prayer box said: "Dear God, please give Britney her kids back."

The 26-year-old singer then had lunch at the Gaucho Grill with Adnan, her former PA Sam Lufti and a third man.

The waitress said: "Britney was very quiet and seemed sad and upset. She wore her sunglasses inside. She seemed drained."

Britney - who was dumped by her third legal team two weeks ago - was stripped of her visitation rights to her sons after she held them hostage in her home.

She had three supervised visits with her children a week, including one overnight stay.

(C) BANG Media International