Britney Drama As She Holds Sons Hostage in Police Siege

Jan 04, 06:02 PM

BRITNEY SPEARS was taken to hospital under police escort today after holding her children hostage at her Beverly Hills home.

The pop star had refused to hand over her two sons to police as part of a long-running and bitter custody battle with Kevin Federline, her ex-husband and father of the children.

At least six police cars, an ambulance, a fire engine and even a police helicopter were all called to Spears's home amid fears she was threatening to harm either herself or her children. One eyewitness described the situation as "scary".

She was eventually persuaded to hand the children Sean Preston, two, and oneyear-old Jayden James over to police after four hours of intense negotiation. A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department said officers believed Spears was under the influence of an "unknown substance".

The 26-year-old was taken to the Cedars- Sinai Medical Center offering a one-fingered salute to waiting photographers as she left her the ambulance where she will undergo a mental health assessment. She also faces arrest and charges if she tests positive for either drink or drugs.

The dramatic stand-off began at 8pm (4am GMT) when two of Federline's bodyguards arrived to collect the children.

Spears, who has only limited visitation rights, refused to hand over the children and police were called.

LAPD spokesman Jason Lee said today: "Police were called to Britney Spears' home this evening.

"She was refusing to hand the children over to their father as part of a court order.

"We do believe Britney Spears is under the influence and needs to be evaluated.

"At this stage we do not know what she may or may not have taken that's why she needs to be evaluated. But obviously if the test does prove positive then we would be looking to move her to a police station and charge her." Officers began negotiating the children's release and shortly after 10pm Spears appeared to let police and paramedics inside the home. By 11pm there were six police cars on standby, a fire crew, paramedics and a police helicopter hovering above the gated community. An ambulance then arrived and a wheelchair was seen being taken into the house. Police then confirmed she was being evaluated.

Today's drama follows the latest bizarre episode in the ongoing custody battle between Spears and Federline, who married in October 2004 but divorced in July.

Yesterday, Spears visited Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan at his office in Los Angeles to give a deposition or legal statement over allegations she "misused alcohol and other substances" in front of her children.

Wearing a pink dress and sunglass, she arrived 90 minutes late and was deposed for just 14 minutes, according to Mr Kaplan.

Spears had missed a previous appointment last month calling in sick although she was later photographed out with a friend.

She also missed a session on Wednesday.

That followed a decision by Spears's law firm Trope and Trope to file a court motion on Wednesday asking to be withdrawn from the case due to a "breakdown" in communication with their client.

Spears's rise and fall has been spectacular, even by LA standards. A teenage pop sensation, she sold more than 83 million records.

But in recent years, she has dominated the headlines for her erratic behaviour..

(c) 2008 Evening Standard; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved. Britney Drama As She Holds Sons Hostage in Police Siege
Back to Current Headlines