Police, paramedics descend on Britney's house, singer hospitalized

The rapid decline of Britney Spears continued late Thursday when police were called to her home in a reported dispute involving the singer, her children and ex-husband.

The pop star was reportedly detained by police and medics, wheeled out of her home on a gurney and taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Doctors there will decide whether to invoke a California law that allows a patient to be held for psychological evaluation for 72 hours, a police spokesman told reporters.

An officer on the scene told the Associated Press that the call involved a "family custodial dispute" and the police were trying to resolve the situation peacefully -- for several hours.

The pop star was said to be under the influence of "unknown substances," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Earlier in the evening Kevin Federline's bodyguards reportedly showed up to take the children home when the situation began to unravel.

Spears and her ex-husband Kevin Federline have been engaged in a prolonged and very public custody battle over their toddler sons Sean Preston and Jayden James.

For the Los Angeles Times' latest update CLICK HERE.

PHOTO: In this photo courtesy of KCBS-TV Britney Spears is carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance from her home in Los Angeles Ca. late Thursday night Jan. 3, 2008. Police were called to Spears' home in a custodial dispute involving her children, authorities said. Officers were called at 8 p.m. and were still at the house several hours later, said Officer Jason Lee, a police spokesman. (AP Photo / KCBS-TV)

Comments

[cody mccall]

Swarm? That bad, eh? D'ya get the sense that this young woman is in deep need for some in-depth therapy?
She's lived in the fantasy world of popular entertainment her entire life. I guess she's like Dick Cheney--believes she's immune from the rules of the road.
She's in real danger of becoming a 25-year old has been if she doesn't watch it.

[Lizbeth]

I think it's pitiful the way the paparazzi hounds her. How do they sleep at night, knowing that they are the cause of her demise. Everyone has problems, I don't know one person who at some point in their lives, hasn't gone through a rough patch. Maybe if they just give her some space and leave her alone for awhile, she may get back on track.

[Chi]

My heart really goes out to this young woman-
Not only is she going through rough times, but it seems that the all -knowing media under the careful choreography of Kaplan the sickening attorney etc. seem utterly determined to break this young woman. And it seems that they won't rest until they drive her to suicide ensuring that that no good federline gets her money under the bogus guise of taking care of the 2 piggy banks he's set up for himself-

Shame on all who've contributed to this girl's breakdown-

[Gina]

I don't know why everyone feels sorry for this girl - she's the source of all her own troubles. Clearly she thinks she's above the law and that laws don't apply to her. She is supposedly under the influence of something, and this during the time she was having her child visitation.

[Matthew Hardy]

Very sad for the children it traumatises them at age 1 & 2 & they have no understanding of whats happening, they are only Fearful. Where is spears family ? . She should be locked up and Detoxed & supervised. Clearly she is an out of control Junky .

[Dan]

What is happening Britney Spears is the same thing that happened to Michael Jackson. She grew up knowing only fame, the camera, money, glamour and was given no guidance. Now that she is left on her own as her careers dwindles and nobody has a use for her she is falling apart. Everybody is so quick to criticize her about her actions when the consumers and those who read the tabloids only further support her demise.

[Andrew Forest]

Britney needs to move back to "rural" Louisiana. She is all washed up/out ! ! ! ! She is headed for a "HEAD-ON" collision in her life.

[Nicole]

What I find completely reprehensible is the paparzzi's total lack of regard for privacy. (As i wrote that I realize how ridiculous that statement is but I'll continue...) I'm not talking about them getting a shot while she wanders into her local Starbucks wearing her stained Pucci dresses and oversized Jackie O sunglasses, I'm referring to them jumping on the back of an ambulance to get a shot of her in what ever state of medical distress she was in. Is THAT acceptable? Cameras in medical emergency vechicles? I know she's a 'public figure' but come on, an ambulance? That is beyond overstepping. It's hop scotching. And it's disgusting.

[JL]

"Shame on all who've contributed to this girl's breakdown-"

Please spare me the tearful lamentations. She is an adult, albeit a spoiled one with an insatiable sense of entitilement. She made millions, and she alone is responsible for her actions.

For every Britney there is a Johnny Depp who also had vast amounts of fame and fortune at an young age. They, however, learn to grow up.

She's laying in the bed she made...no one else.

[jennifer]

this is a shame there needs to be a lesh on those poparazzi .. i love her and wish her the best .. duh this drug thing is what people do.. when they are overwhelmed,hounded by press,and deppressed. brit its ok honey we all get nuts ..my family loves you ....xoxoxoxjen

[Shoop'd]

Britney courts the paparazzi and lets them know of her whereabouts. Why should we feel sorry for her?? Her 15 minutes has long since passed, but she orchestrates the media so she's never out of the public eye.

[Bob]

I think it's really sad that she isn't being left alone to try & sort out her life. She's made some bad calls in her life due to the fact of her growing up in the entertainment industry, and having a fairytale outlook on things. Hounding her isn't helping. After Princess Diana died in a crash being chased by the press, you would think that a lesson would have been learned.

[Jeremy]

Who cares about that mental chub bag? really...whatever

[Walter]

What we are witnessing is upsetting. We are witnessing the battle of "Britney" with her ex-husband over the care of their children. And we are witnessing the "personal" battle of Britney over the emptiness and fear she is experiencing as a consequence of the marriage and divorce.
If the cameras were following me when I was going through my divorce and post-divorce period...the whole world would of watched my struggles. I eventually stopped digging, accepted help and got back on track. My prayer is that Britney will stop digging, get help and get back on track.