The Britney Spears Drama Continues

UPDATE: K-FED RETAINS CUSTODY; BRIT GETS MONITORED VISITATION

TMZ says: "Kevin Federline will retain custody of his children and Britney will get monitored visitation -- this after a court hearing lasting nearly three hours. K-Fed's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan says both side presented evidence at today's hearing. He would not say exactly what happened, but he hinted that the judge would make an order soon."

Update 2: Rumors are circulating that Britney will soon enter the Crossroads Rehabilitation Center in Antigua (it's the one Eric Clapton started), the same facility that she checked into and out of within 24 hours back in February. Once I have a reliable source I will link it.

Update 3: TMZ says that K-Fed's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, called today's ruling "justified." They also report that Britney definitely was not there, and that they just got a shot of her putting gas in her SUV at a Shell Station in the San Fernando Valley.

Update 4: CLICK HERE for the article on Britney possibly re-entering rehab this weekend.

Update 5: TMZ is confirming that Britney has been ordered to appear for the hearing on October 26: "TMZ has learned L.A. County Commissioner Scott Gordon has ordered Britney and K-Fed to court at the next hearing, set for October 26.We've learned on Monday, Commissioner Gordon said he would not order the parties to court, but made it clear that it would be a good idea for them to show. Sources say Britney's lawyer, Sorrell Trope, asked Britney to show but she wouldn't. Kevin showed up, along with his lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan. It was the first appearance in court by either one. Britney spent some of her afternoon at a Shell gas station in the San Fernando Valley. Britney's lawyer argued that the ruling on Monday was unfair and he asked to reinstate the 50/50 custody arrangement. The judge declined to do it."

Update 6: Here is a picture of Britney, apparently taken this afternoon by TMZ (possibly during the court hearing). It's been up for a bit but I didn't know if it was new or not until now (they showed video of it on "Larry King Live" just now and said it was from today, and yes, she's smiling/laughing in the video). I know a lot of you are experiencing "Britney burnout" and I apologize, but I know that there are also people who want any tidbit they can get:

Update 7: TMZ reports that Britney is currently holed up at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons: "TMZ cameras caught Brit and cousin Alli Sims going into the extravagant Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel around 6:15 PM PST. An army of photogs trailed behind Britney, who drove her dinged up white Mercedes from her Hollywood Hills mansion following a day filled with gas stations, coffee shops and photo ops."

Update 8: MTV News obtained the following statement from Jive Records: “It’s not Jive’s place to fashion a public-relations campaign with respect to Britney’s personal issues, but Jive does care about her and does support her. We’re not pointing fingers — because the media and the paparazzi wouldn’t exist if there weren’t an appetite for it. But there’s no question that when you have someone at this level of celebrity, they become like cartoons or soap-opera characters, and we forget that they’re human beings. People say that’s the trade you make, that you have to give up your privacy or the ability to lead a normal life, but sometimes you make that bargain before you realize what it entails and it’s too late. Britney’s a grown woman, and she makes her own choices, and we respect that. But she’s been at a disadvantage [without a consistent team], and obviously that makes it harder to cope.”

TMZ
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