Britney Update: Locked Up then Locked Down

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

04 Jan 2008 01:40 PM

While her ex-husband and his attorney sit in a courtroom trying to strip her of what's left of her custodial rights the trainwreck that is Britney Spears may have finally come to a smoldering stop.

Spears is currently enduring a minimum 72-hour lock down and undergoing a mental evaluation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Medical experts say it's basically an involuntary psychiatric hold, also known as a Section 5150.

According to Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, a 5150 is defined as, "a means by which someone who is in serious need of mental health treatment can be transported to a designated psychiatric inpatient facility for evaluation and treatment for up to 72-hours against their will."

The lockdown came late last night after Spears reportedly locked herself in a room with her 1-year-old son Jayden at her L.A. home and refused to relinquish physical custody per a court order.

According to news sources, it was the derailed pop star's court-appointed child monitor who called police. "She had already put Preston in the car when Britney locked herself in a room with Jayden," says the source. "The cops came and got through the door and tied her down to a gurney."

TV's "Access Hollywood" is reporting Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, is due in court this afternoon to attempt to strip Spears of her remaining visitation rights.

In the meantime, "Access" also spoke to Britney's mother, Lynne Spears, who was reportedly distraught, crying on the phone and asking staff members of the entertainment news show to, "Just say prayers." Mama Spears also confirmed that Brit's dad and her brother Bryan are at the hospital with the secluded singer.

Finally, reports that police had a difficult time removing Britney from the locked room in her house are true according to PEOPLE Magazine. The magazine claims that when officers finally gained access to the room they found "a disoriented Britney, who hadn't slept for days and apparently hadn't eaten for days." Hence the decision for medical personnel to load her on a gurney and admit her to the hospital.

According to police the incident is being considered a "hostage situation."

And you thought Britney had hit rock bottom a long time ago.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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mcmama (51978) 04 Jan 2008 05:23 PM

Ya know, when it comes right down to it, Miss Brit is not more important than those boys. All her drama does nothing for the family.

DivasMomma (20907) 04 Jan 2008 05:43 PM

I feel really bad for her kids. Its bad enough they went through a VERY public divorce, but think about what they are seeing now. My 2 yr old and her son are about the same age, and i know I wont forget, so other parents wont either. I cant imagine what he is going to hear when he gets to be school-aged and people tell their kids who he is and what happened to his mommy :-(

slygirrl (4627) 04 Jan 2008 07:19 PM

They are saying now that Britney was not under any illegal substances when they did finally take her. I just read that Britney was not difficult to remove from the house and she was cooperative. I do feel bad for her and fortunately they did suspend her visitation untila court can decide what to do next..... She's going to be the next Anna Nicole, and unfortunately I can see her meeting the same demise.....

DivasMomma (20907) 04 Jan 2008 07:29 PM

She may not have been hard "to remove" but there was a 3 hour standoff, where she refused to come out. They took it as a hostage situation because she had the youngest, Jayden, in there with her. And, she shouldnt have given them a reason to "Remove" her at all. Court orders are court oders, no matter how much you hate them.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 05 Jan 2008 04:50 AM

Yes, I also heard that she tested negative for drugs, which just confirms that her 72-hour lockdown is probably warranted and long overdue. And I whole heartedly agree that those kids are by far the biggest victims of this entire unfortunate situation. Thanks for the comments!!

BeatOfMyHeartRemix (1689) 21 Jan 2008 01:27 PM

Wow. I feel sorry for her. All this stress should be kept out of the media, it is not our business what is going on in their personal, private lives. You don't see us on the news for something like that happening, we wouldn't want it.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 22 Jan 2008 05:30 AM

I agree Bobbie, but I do think Britney does create much of the chaos that surrounds her. But I do agree it is a sad situation and you can't help but feel sorry for her young sons.