Britney's "life at risk" say her parents after her discharge from UCLA Medical Center

[Ireneparalegal]

For the second time this month, Britney Spears was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Early Thursday morning (January 31), according to reports in the Los Angeles Times.

Spears, 26, was physically removed from her home by police and put into an ambulance at around 1 a.m., then escorted to the UCLA Medical Center by a phalanx of more than a dozen motorcycle officers, two police cruisers and two police helicopters. The singer is resting at the hospital, her mother, Lynne Spears, confirmed to reporters on Thursday, according to CNN.

The action came as a result of yet another call for a "5150" hold for a mental-health evaluation, which means that Spears is considered a threat to herself or those around her, authorities told the paper. The motorcycles and a Los Angeles Fire Department ambulance swept through the gates of Spears' hilltop home in Studio City, California, shortly after 1 a.m., with a police helicopter hovering overhead, and removed the singer eight minutes later. Officers inside the home reportedly radioed to commanders that "the package is on the way out."

According to the Times, the winding street leading up to Spears' home, the Summit, was jammed with paparazzi vehicles for several hours prior to the arrival of the police.

On January 3, Spears was placed on a 72-hour mental-health evaluation hold when police were called to her house after she would not give up custody of her two children to a representative for ex-husband Kevin Federline, who had come to pick them up; she was released two days later. Unlike that incident, during which Spears' trip from her home to the hospital was swarmed by paparazzi, this time officials blocked vehicles from following them.

The Times reported that authorities said the action was prompted by a call they received from Spears' psychiatrist, and though it was unclear exactly when they received the call, the paper said it was apparent the operation had been carefully planned over a period of time. It was the second time police had rushed to the singer's home this week, following an incident Monday night when someone reported that a group of paparazzi were trespassing in the singer's gated community. No trespassers were found, but a number of paparazzi were given citations for illegal parking.

According to TMZ, Spears' psychiatrist was the one who called police because she was alarmed by the singer's recent reckless driving and conduct and decided that another 5150 hold was necessary. The site reported that the plan to hospitalize Spears had been launched days ago and was abandoned at the last minute on Wednesday, then put into place early Thursday and was so intricate that the Federal Aviation Administration had to be contacted to clear airspace on the route to the hospital. Several outlets are reporting that Spears went calmly, and had not slept for three days; she was videotaped purchasing a case of an energy drink earlier this week, and was photographed nodding off in her car.

The troubled singer lost visitation rights of sons Sean Preston, 2 and Jayden James, 1, on January 4 after her hospitalization following her refusal to hand the children back to Federline.

[This story was originally published at 7:56 am E.T. on 1.31.2008]

[AB]

I actually feel kind of sorry for her.

[*ClassicPinUp*]

I'm keeping her in my prayers! Fingers crossed that this time is IT and that she stays and gets the help she needs. I'm still rooting for her and wishing nothing but the best!

[Dean Winchester]

I seems like this is almost a weekly occurance for her at this point in time. When is she going to stop this downward spiral, it's not cute anymore

[Ireneparalegal]

For those who are wondering what does "5150" mean here is a partial legal explanation:

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 5150-5157


5150. When any person, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger
to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled, a peace
officer, member of the attending staff, as defined by regulation, of
an evaluation facility designated by the county, designated members
of a mobile crisis team provided by Section 5651.7, or other
professional person designated by the county may, upon probable
cause, take, or cause to be taken, the person into custody and place
him or her in a facility designated by the county and approved by the
State Department of Mental Health as a facility for 72-hour
treatment and evaluation.
Such facility shall require an application in writing stating the
circumstances under which the person's condition was called to the
attention of the officer, member of the attending staff, or
professional person, and stating that the officer, member of the
attending staff, or professional person has probable cause to believe
that the person is, as a result of mental disorder, a danger to
others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled. If the
probable cause is based on the statement of a person other than the
officer, member of the attending staff, or professional person, such
person shall be liable in a civil action for intentionally giving a
statement which he or she knows to be false.



5150.05. (a) When determining if probable cause exists to take a
person into custody, or cause a person to be taken into custody,
pursuant to Section 5150, any person who is authorized to take that
person, or cause that person to be taken, into custody pursuant to
that section shall consider available relevant information about the
historical course of the person's mental disorder if the authorized
person determines that the information has a reasonable bearing on
the determination as to whether the person is a danger to others, or
to himself or herself, or is gravely disabled as a result of the
mental disorder.
(b) For purposes of this section, "information about the
historical course of the person's mental disorder" includes evidence
presented by the person who has provided or is providing mental
health or related support services to the person subject to a
determination described in subdivision (a), evidence presented by one
or more members of the family of that person, and evidence presented
by the person subject to a determination described in subdivision
(a) or anyone designated by that person.
(c) If the probable cause in subdivision (a) is based on the
statement of a person other than the one authorized to take the
person into custody pursuant to Section 5150, a member of the
attending staff, or a professional person, the person making the
statement shall be liable in a civil action for intentionally giving
any statement that he or she knows to be false.
(d) This section shall not be applied to limit the application of
Section 5328.

[*ClassicPinUp*]

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

When is she going to stop this downward spiral, it's not cute anymore

She's mentally ill. She probably doesn't truly realize what she's doing to herself. I don't think she's doing it to be "cute."

[EmoJoe]

Originally Posted by *Forever*

She's mentally ill. She probably doesn't truly realize what she's doing to herself. I don't think she's doing it to be "cute."

yeah, she really is just mentally unstable at this point and needs help. it's not a publicity stunt anymore.

i'm no Britney fan, but this is really just sad.

[TripperFan]

It does sound as though she's bi-polar. Poor thing. I really feel for her now. I agree that she's not doing this to be cute or for publicity now. She's definitely in need of medical intervention.

[Janice]

That woman needs help, and I pray she gets it. She's going the way of Anna Nicole. I hope she gets well, for her sake, and for the sake of her childrene, who need their mother.

[Ireneparalegal]

Those poor kids. Probably wondering where is their mother and not having a clue (Thank God) as to what is really going on. Let's hope in five years we can look back and remember how bad Britney used to be and how much better she is doing.

[Mikado]

Lindsey Lohan for instance, is just a self-destructive brat who doesnt care what she does and enjoys being mischeivious, and I have no sympathy for her, but, I really feel badly for Brit, she doesnt seem to be in control of her own mind, it's very sad.

[Mr. Television]

I hope Britney has a full recovery.

[Janice]

Mom Says Hospitalized Spears Is Doing OK

LOS ANGELES (AP) - With Britney Spears whisked out of the public LOS ANGELES (AP) - With Britney Spears whisked out of the public spotlight Thursday Thursday and committed to a hospital psychiatric ward, it's now up to a team of professional caregivers to reverse her seemingly endless downward spiral.

Spears, accompanied by more than a dozen police officers, was taken to the UCLA Medical Center before dawn Thursday in what one officer would only say was an effort to "get help" for the troubled pop star.

It was her second 72-hour commitment in four weeks, though her previous stay lasted less than two days and was followed by more strange episodes that have accompanied her divorce and bruising child custody battle.

The law allows a person to be placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold for up to 72 hours if they are believed to be a danger to themselves or others. Spears' mother, Lynne Spears, was seen leaving the medical center's psychiatric hospital about 5:30 a.m. Asked if her daughter was all right, she replied, "Yeah."

Under the law, doctors may keep an individual under round-the-clock observation but may not medicate the person without his or her permission unless there appears to be grave danger, said Dr. Bruce Spring, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Southern California.

"The hold is not a carte blanche for treatment," said Spring, who is not connected to Spears' case.

Spears' public emotional spiral began in November 2006 when she filed for divorce from Kevin Federline, the father of her infant sons, 1-year-old Jayden James and 2-year-old Sean Preston.

Neither Spears' attorney nor Federline's lawyer immediately returned calls for comment on her hospitalization. The pop star's spokeswoman declined to comment.

It was not immediately clear who initiated Spears' commitment process. The latest effort to get her help comes as various people in her life appear to be jockeying for influence, from her immediate family to two men who have recently surfaced.

Sam Lutfi, has described himself as Spears' manager and "very good friend." Earlier this week, Barbara Walters said on ABC's "The View" that Lutfi had contacted the veteran newswoman and told her that Spears saw a psychiatrist and "is starting some kind of treatment."

The other is Adnan Ghalib, a paparazzi photographer who recently announced that he is Spears' boyfriend. Soon after that announcement, Ghalib's wife of four years filed for a legal separation.

Ghalib has been seen escorting Spears on shopping excursions, restaurant outings and to court during her ongoing child-custody battle with Federline. He reportedly followed the motorcade to the hospital with Spears' mother.

The pop star was seen arriving in an ambulance, accompanied by the type of escort normally reserved for a president. Nearly a dozen officers on motorcycles, as well as more in police cars and in a pair of helicopters hovering overhead, shepherded her to the hospital.

UCLA spokeswoman Roxanne Moster, citing patient confidentiality laws, declined to say whether Spears was at the hospital Thursday.

Generally, a person on psychiatric hold receives a physical and mental evaluation and undergoes tests that can include X-rays and blood samples. Doctors can also recommend a course of treatment during that time.

If a person is still considered a danger after the initial hold, doctors can extend the confinement to up to 14 more days and a court-ordered hearing is held at the hospital during that time to determine if the person should be let go.

An estimated 40 to 100 people are committed against their will in Los Angeles County every day, Spring said. Most, however, arrive with only an escort of two police officers or a psychiatric mobile response team.

"It's unusual that there would be a parade of people," Spring said of the circus-like atmosphere under which Spears arrived. Her visit drew complaints from neighbors who contacted the Federal Aviation Administration about the helicopters.

Police Capt. Sharyn Buck said some people complained, but the motorcade was provided to get Spears through a paparazzi swarm without endangering her or the public.

"It's not preferential treatment by the LAPD, it's protecting public safety," Buck said.

Because paparazzi photographers trail Spears' every public move, she is forced to conduct almost all of her life in the equivalent of a moving fish bowl. As the world has watched, her behavior has gotten increasingly erratic.

Earlier this week, she was videotaped speaking in a faux British accent as she ordered Lutfi out of the driver's seat of her black Mercedez-Benz, shouting at him, "I want to drive my f------ car."

At other times she has arrived at public events in short skirts and without underwear, shaved her head bald, ran over a photographer's foot, left the scene of a fender bender, flogged another car with an umbrella and abandoned a car in traffic when it had a flat tire. Earlier this week, she was photographed holding her pet dog and crying.

Spears was hospitalized on Jan. 3 after police were called to her home when she refused to return her children to Federline following a visit. That episode resulted in her losing custody of her sons.

As she was about to leave the hospital the first time, Spears was confronted by TV personality "Dr." Phil McGraw, who said he was sent there by her family. At one point, McGraw had planned an episode of the "Dr. Phil" show about Spears, but quickly abandoned the idea amid criticism that he was exploiting her problems. He has since apologized for discussing his visit publicly - but not for going to see her.

Meanwhile, another hearing in Spears' child-custody case was scheduled last week but she didn't attend. She arrived at the courthouse wearing a short, black party dress, bright pink lipstick, shiny gold platform shoes and sunglasses. But after passing through the courthouse metal detector, she announced, "I want to leave" and returned to her car.

[Dean Winchester]

I don't trust that Adnan guy she's dating either. If he's not in it for the money and notoriety, why else would he be selling his stories and giving interviews to Entertainment Tonight and all the sort of tabloid television. If he cared about Britney, he wouldn't be doing that.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Janice

Meanwhile, another hearing in Spears' child-custody case was scheduled last week but she didn't attend. She arrived at the courthouse wearing a short, black party dress, bright pink lipstick, shiny gold platform shoes and sunglasses. But after passing through the courthouse metal detector, she announced, "I want to leave" and returned to her car.

I don't find Britney's situation funny one bit, but this paragraph did make me laugh, just the visual of it all. If this isn't a sign of mental illness, nothing is. It's like something out of a Joan Crawford movie.
I think of Kevin Federline. He hooks up with Britney, leaving pregnant Shar Jackson in the dust. Probably thought to himself, wow, Britney Spears, I'm set for life. They have two kids, and it's been one meltdown since. Now he has the kids. I do give Kevin credit for one thing. I hear he's a good father to all four of his children. Shar Jackson has stated that in interviews, even when he was still with Britney.