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CBS/AP
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Published: Thu, February 07, 2008 - 12:02 pm
Last Updated: Thu, February 07, 2008 - 12:06 pm
(CBS/AP) Britney Spears' parents said Wednesday the pop star's life is at risk after she was released from the hospital over the recommendation of her treating psychiatrist. In a joint statement, Jamie and Lynne Spears said they were "extremely disappointed" to learn their daughter had been released.
"As parents of an adult child in the throes of a mental health crisis, we were extremely disappointed to learn that, over the recommendation of her treating psychiatrist, Britney was released from the hospital that could best care for her and keep her safe. We are deeply concerned about her safety and vulnerability and we believe her life is presently at risk," the statement said.
Spears was released from a Los Angeles hospital earlier Wednesday with little media attention, but just hours later she was once again being chased by the paparazzi.
According to the television show "The Insider," Spears was seen driving around in her new black Mercedes in the afternoon with a man who appeared to be her bodyguard in the passenger seat.
A pack of paparazzi followed the pop star's car, asking her, "How are you?" Spears answered, "How do I look?" But, when the photographers surrounded her car, she shouted, "You guys are mean!"
Spears' parents, clinical psychologist Jeff Gardere told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Thursday, "are saying, 'Please, keep her in the hospital, so she can avoid a lot of these diversions that may make her sicker.' "
Gardere stressed that, "Anyone who's been through what she's been through -- who has a severe psychiatric disorder -- needs to be rested. They need to be in a place where they can just simply be by themselves and get the rest they need. But, in fact, she's not getting that, and (is) getting more agitated once again. It's not a good thing."
Spears was quietly released from UCLA Medical Center Wednesday, a stark contrast to the way she came in - with an extensive escort of more than a dozen police officers in cars, on motorcycles and in helicopters, paparazzi in tow.
Her incognito getaway required no police, said Capt. Sharyn Buck, commander of the North Hollywood police station, which covers the area where Spears' home is located.
"There was no media, no paparazzi, and no need for public safety protection," Buck said.
The troubled singer was hospitalized Jan. 31 and held for a 72-hour evaluation that was originally set to expire Sunday. Her stay was then extended for two weeks, a person close to the pop star told The Associated Press, which may explain why she was able to avoid attention on her way out.
Spears remains under the temporary conservatorship of her father, an arrangement created after a judge determines a person can no longer care for themselves or their personal affairs. Her father, James, was named conservator of Spears, and he and attorney Andrew Wallet were made co-conservators of the estate.
As her conservator, Spears' father has been granted access to all of her medical records and authority to determine where Spears lives and who she sees.
Spears, who is in a child custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline, was also briefly hospitalized earlier in January after police were called to her home when she refused to return her sons to a Federline bodyguard after a visit. That trip to the hospital occurred amid a swarm of paparazzi.
Spears has since lost all visitation rights.
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Who cares??? I would love to go at least one day without hearing anything about the Spears family.