Britney Spears and Kevin Federline Accused of Child Abuse

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's custody battle is heating up - an allegation of child abuse is to be investigated.

Legal sources tell website tmz Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan filed legal papers on Monday (27Aug07), which mentions a investigation by the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) concerning the parenting to Sean Preston, 23 months; and Jayden James, 11 months.

It is reported that the court files allege the children have poor dental hygiene and bad eating and sleeping habits.

An anonymous complaint about either Federline or Spears was reportedly filed with the DCFS in 2 July (07), but was not followed up with an investigation.

Last year (06) the couple were investigated twice by the DCFS after Spears was photographed driving with Sean Preston on her lap and then two months later when the tot fell out of his high chair at their Malibu, California home.

U.S. TV show Access Hollywood said the child abuse allegations have become the primary matter in the couple's custody battle.

The couple's divorce was finalised last month (Jul07) with both parties agreeing to joint custody of the boys. However, Federline is now seeking full custody following Spears' recent erratic behaviour.