Meltdowns
Britney Sprung from Joint

TMZ has confirmed that Britney Spears has been released from Cedars-Sinai hospital, following an explosive morning in which she was done, done, done with it!

Sources say the hospital released her without notifying any of the principals involved in the ongoing kiddie drama. So, you ask, how could she have been released so quickly, given that she had been declared a danger to herself and others?

We're told the "5150 hold" means that she can be held against her will for a max of 72 hours, but if the hospital determines she is no longer a danger, they can release her before that.

UPDATE: Additional sources now tell TMZ Cedars absolutely made the decision on its own -- without consulting any of the lawyers in the case. We're told it is Cedars policy (and the policy of other California hospitals) to evaluate whether the "danger" has subsided at any point during the 72-hour hold.

As we have reported, even though there is significant evidence that Brit has a bipolar disorder, Cedars cannot hold her against her will to treat such a problem. If doctors determine she is no longer a danger, they must let her go -- pure and simple.



Reader Comments

(Page 7 of 24) Previous 15 Comments | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

91. ... and the Britney Death Watch starts! Sorry, folks, if it sounds uncaring and heartless, but I honestly believe that the way she is going, it is only a matter of time until she becomes the Anna Nicole of 2008. She's in desperate need of help, but I truly fear she's not going to listen to anyone until it's far, far too late. She's already lost her marriage, and possibly her career, now her kids. What else is left?

Posted at 1:56PM on Jan 5th 2008 by A Non E Muss

92. hey first, nearly had it on that one! keep edging in!

Posted at 1:53PM on Jan 5th 2008 by So dead meat!

93. This is so wrong of them to let her go. They should be arrested. This girl is of danger to anyone around her including herself and if they were doing their jobs they would have sedated her in the first 24 hrs. and kept her on something. They are not professionals in Psych if they are letting her go. She's going to kill someone or herself.
Get ready TMZ to cover a funeral.

Posted at 1:56PM on Jan 5th 2008 by GK

94. Dx: Boderline Personality Disorder. Google It.
Dx: Boderline Personality Disorder. Google It.
Dx: Boderline Personality Disorder. Google It.
Dx: Boderline Personality Disorder. Google It.

Posted at 1:55PM on Jan 5th 2008 by Stop giving BiPolar Disorder a Bad Rap

95. freak needs mental health help as well - he's as narcissitic as they come - sick, sick people on these boards. They 'know' she's sick and mental ill but hope she dies. Wow - such uneducated stupid people,

Posted at 1:58PM on Jan 5th 2008 by zizzy

96. SWEET! Hold onto your hats, everyone! The entertainment will begin shortly! Thanks, Brit! You never fail to entertain us, God love ya!

Posted at 1:56PM on Jan 5th 2008 by W T F ?

97. Look. They cannot involuntarily commit someone just for being mentally ill. Not even if they are *severely* mentally ill.

They can only hold someone without their consent if they are "a danger to themselves or others". If she isn't suicidal or homicidal there is no legal basis for holding her, no matter how much she may need psychiatric care. They cannot even force psychotic people to take medication. Causing emotional damage to her children doesn't meet the standard for involuntary commitment either, it must be physical danger.

There is probably nothing they can do to keep her.

Posted at 2:17PM on Jan 5th 2008 by twit

98. NO HOSPITAL IS GOING TO LET GO OF A PERSON WHO IS DEEMED HARMFUL TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS. THEY HELD HER BECAUSE THE POLICE SAID SHE WAS UNDER SOME KIND OF SUBSTANCE AND THE HOSPITAL FOUND NONE..HAHAHAHAHAHA WHAT A JOKE.. EMBARASSED ANYONE..?

Posted at 1:56PM on Jan 5th 2008 by Time to party !!

99. #91 ... yeah right ... like she reads these comments. Girl cant probably read in the first place.

If she was hell-bent on TMZ bloggers, she would have done it ages ago.

Get a life.

Posted at 1:56PM on Jan 5th 2008 by Hammer

100. She'll just get MORE publicity....MORE attention....MORE money....MORE married idiot reporters to feel sorry for this pathetic self centered biotch .....she said it herself......GIMME MORE !!!!!! AND we all are doin it. ME INCLUDED !!! I just can't stop myself, though....it's like watching that car wreck on the side of the road. Except, sad to say, SHE OR SOMEONE ELSE might be a causualty this time around.

Posted at 1:57PM on Jan 5th 2008 by All Aboard The CRAZAAAZY Train !!!

101. *sits back and waits for the reported car crash/accident/death of brit and prays hard she is no where near anyone when it happens*

Posted at 1:57PM on Jan 5th 2008 by Meko Mama

102. Very Scary..lets all just hope it wasn't a psychotic bipolar episode. Glad the kids are with Kfed 4 sure.

Posted at 1:57PM on Jan 5th 2008 by Lori B

103. This chick is going to be driving the streets of LA..Look out!!

Posted at 1:58PM on Jan 5th 2008 by whatever

104. Unbelievable that she got out.

Posted at 2:08PM on Jan 5th 2008 by opi

105. Maybe she's on her way to get a Frapp!

Posted at 1:59PM on Jan 5th 2008 by W T F ?

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