Sheriff Baca: "This Lady Has Severe Problems"

Posted Jun 8th 2007 6:35PM by TMZ Staff

L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca claims there was simply no room at his jail for a "low-level offender" like Paris Hilton -- and her "severe" medical problems were only getting worse.

In a statement to the press, Baca said, "There's 20,000 inmates -- the largest jail system in the United States ... It's very overcrowded."

According to Baca, 90% of the inmates in L.A. County jail are serious felons -- many held on murder charges or attempted murder charges. Paris was one of the "low level" offenders -- who usually serve 10% of their sentences.

Baca also said that he reassigned Hilton based on "her severe medical problems," and confirmed TMZ's original story that her condition was mental. Baca said that her "increasingly deteriorating problems" were evaluated and added, "This lady has some severe problems."

Baca added that she was medicated when she originally entered the jail system ... and "I can't trust her tenuous status," referring to her mental state. "She had a severe problem," said Baca, "I need more cooperation from the courts and from the city attorney's office."

For now, Baca says he will comply with the court order and keep her behind bars -- "If there's any further deterioration, hopefully we'll be able to address it."

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Paris Hilton

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(Page 4 of 94)Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. the answer to this lies in a bank account in Switzerland

Posted at 6:52PM on Jun 8th 2007 by steve

47. YEAH.......SPOILEDBRATBITCH, CURABLE WITH HOUSE ARREST AND CUPAKES.

Posted at 6:53PM on Jun 8th 2007 by THAT SOW

48. We all knew before going in Paris had "sever problems" most people who go to jail do! Stop the bull ish and just do the time

Posted at 6:53PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Nik-o-lish

49. She has problems, all right. She drinks and drives, scorns court orders not to drive - multiple times - even when she knows she's being watched, she commits perjury (the judge knew she was lying when she said she didn't know her license was revoked), and now she is in jail where she belongs. Part of the "severe problem" is a sheriff who let her get away with these things, parents who think she can do no wrong, too much money for expensive lawyers, and the attitude of an immature spoiled brat. I applaud the courage of the judge.

Posted at 6:53PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Karen

50. she is not a felon, she is not a hardened criminal, she is a low-level misdemeanor case....BUT she did violate probation, she did this several times, and in my opinion, she DOES think she is above the law.
i think she deserves this sentance, i hope lindsay lohan gets worse, and i hope nicole richie does time. if i were to get a DUI and do the things these girls continued to do, i WOULD be in jail....
sorry lady, do your time, suck it up.

Posted at 6:53PM on Jun 8th 2007 by em

51. What is this guy doing to release all the other mentally ill? Weren't they in line to get out on early release first?

Give me a Break!!!

Mental Paris.... It's now confirmed!!!

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Ima Bitch

52. Her biggest problem is people surrounding her who haven't told her how it is.THAT is
why this has unfolded in this manner, and that is why she thinks she is so hard done by. THEY are acting like they're martyrs. Martyrcomplex. Paris disregarded probation. Not the judge. A good, no nonsense talking to at the very beginning and she'd still just be
on probation. Good parenting along with responsible choices on Paris' part would have alleviated this self-created undue suffering. Dumbasses.

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by HereComeDaJudge!

53. I believe him. I am glad he is speaking on msnbc right now.Paris
Hilton should be removed from Jail when the red tape is done,and then
she should be transfered to a private rehab facility with proper
psychological counseling for metal health issues and alcohol
abuse.She needs a private rehab facility in order to get
rehabilitated.

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by LYNNANDEMILY

54. CUT THE GIRL A BREAK ALL SHE DID WAS DRIVE WITH A SUSPENED LISCENSE, NOW YOU HAVE A JUDGE WHO THINKS HE IS A GOD, JUSTICE, WHAT JUSTICE? YOU ARE ALL JUST JEALOUS BASTARDS!!!

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by zero

55. #12 Ok DPG let me see if I have this straight. You wrote

Charlie Manson has some severe problems too. Can he go home?
Posted at 6:46PM on Jun 8th 2007 by DPG

Last time I checked she hadn't bludgeoned anyone nor was involved in a cult, and didn't cut a fetus from a mother's stomach. Grow up you idiot.

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Momma

56. Sheriff Lee Baca, needs to be fired. It is apparent he does not support the sentencing nor the judicial system.

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Denice

57. She should do at least 1000 hours of community service to poor people!!!

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by She Sucks!

58. The only mental problems I see with her is Narcissistic Personality Disorder..

Posted at 6:54PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Tanya

59. Baca, your check is in the mail. - The Hiltons

Posted at 6:55PM on Jun 8th 2007 by El Grande

60. We here in Los Angeles County are the ones with mental problems....after all look at the IDIOT we elected for sheriff.

Posted at 6:55PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Rob R Barron

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