Los Angeles – An appearance in family court sought by Kevin
Federline amid a child custody dispute with Britney Spears was
canceled today as reports surfaced that the pop star was back in
rehab.
Spears returned to the Promises Malibu Treatment Center late
Wednesday, according to reports from TMZ.com, “The Insider” and
Extra. Her mother, Lynne Spears, drove her daughter to the
center, “Extra” and “The Insider” said.
Spears and Federline reportedly agreed Wednesday night that he
would keep their two young children while Spears was in
rehabilitation, a program that takes between 30 and 45 days.
Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said attorney Mark
Vincent Kaplan, who represents Federline, had called the court
bailiff and asked to cancel the court appearance. Parachini gave no
explanation for the cancellation.
It was not known what issue the 28-year-old Federline planned to
raise.
“Kevin continues to be a very focused father with his children
with hands-on management,” said a statement from Kaplan, read by
his publicist Michael Sands.
Federline sought spousal support and sole custody of Jayden
James, 5 months, and Sean Preston, 17 months, after Spears moved to
end their two-year marriage in November, but a temporary order
issued Feb. 1 granted joint custody through this month.
Gina Orr, a publicist at Jive Records, Spears’ label, did not
respond to e-mail and phone messages.
Spears previously left the Promises center Wednesday, according
to “The Insider,” less than a day after arriving. The center
specializes in treating drug and alcohol abuse.
Last week, she reportedly sought treatment at a center in the
Caribbean but also checked out after a day.
The next day, she arrived at a San Fernando Valley hair salon,
grabbed an electric razor and shaved her head bald. Afterward, she
visited a tattoo parlor, where she had a pair of red-and-pink lips
inked onto her wrist. Then she went out clubbing with friends
before apparently checking into Promises.
Whether her recent behavior will damage her recording career is
hard to say, said Vibe magazine music editor Jon Caramanica.
Spears, whose 1999 debut album “… Baby One More Time,” sold
more than 13 million copies, hasn’t released a new album since
2003. Before her troubles began she had promised one this year, and
Caramanica suggested that might be a good outlet to address what
she’s going through.
“I think the best thing she could do is make an album that
engages with this subject matter in some way,” he said. “Not only
to have a good album but to have an album that’s a declaration of
emotional health.”
