Skip navigation

Mischa Barton hospitalized under psych hold

Police reportedly respond to star’s L.A. home to assist with ‘medical issue’

Video
  Barton under psych hold
July 17: Mischa Barton was supposed to attend a premiere in New York for her new film, “Homecoming” but was taken to a hospital instead. Plus, Ivanka Trump is engaged to New York Observer publisher, Jared Kushner.

NBC Mobile

Access Hollywood video
  2009 AMAs: Leona Lewis ‘getting over’ the attack
Nov. 23: Leona Lewis talks with Access’ Shaun Robinson about her new album, “Echo,” and new picture book, “Dreams.” Plus, she discusses the fan attack on her at a recent book signing.

Access Hollywood
updated 10:54 a.m. ET July 17, 2009

LOS ANGELES - Mischa Barton was placed under an involuntary psychiatric hold (also known as a 5150) by the Los Angeles Police Department and transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Wednesday evening, a source close to the situation claimed to Access Hollywood.

On Wednesday, Access broke the news that authorities had responded to the Los Angeles home of the starlet after receiving a non-911 call from her residence around 3 p.m. A patrol car responded to the scene and began assisting Barton with a “medical issue,” a spokesperson for the LAPD confirmed to Access on Wednesday evening.

The source claimed that Barton was placed under Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code by police and transported to Cedars-Sinai.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

According to the code, authorities can hold a person involuntarily if they present a danger to themselves or others, are gravely disabled or suffer from a mental disorder. This same code was used to hold Britney Spears twice in Los Angeles in January 2008.

When asked about information related to the alleged involuntary hold, an LAPD spokesperson would not comment directly. However, the spokesperson did admit that if any person was held under a 5150, authorities would be prohibited from disclosing the information due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws.

According to the California Welfare and Institutions Code, the hospital can hold Barton involuntarily for up to 72 hours.

Slideshow
Image: The Cinema Society Screening Of "Brothers" - Arrivals
  Celebrity sightings
Natalie Portman attends the “Brothers” premiere, Susan Boyle performs on the TODAY show, Katie Holmes and Suri go shopping in New York and more.

more photos

A rep for the actress confirmed to Access that Barton will not attend the world premiere of her new film, “Homecoming,” Thursday night in New York, but released no further details on the star.

Additionally, the director of Barton’s film said in a statement that those involved with the movie were “saddened” Barton will not be at the event.

“I along with everyone on the ‘Homecoming’ team are saddened to hear that Mischa Barton will not be able to attend the film’s premiere tonight in New York,” director Morgan J. Freeman said in a statement to Access on Thursday. “Her performance in ‘Homecoming’ is fantastic, and she will be missed at our premiere.”

Sources close to the film told Access Barton was due to fly into New York on Wednesday evening. She had a photo shoot scheduled and was going to head out to the premiere around 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Barton is the star of “Homecoming,” playing Shelby, the ex-girlfriend of a football player in a small town, who does whatever it takes to get her beau back. The film co-stars Jessica Stroup of “90210” and Matt Long of ABC’s “The Deep End.”

Copyright 2009 by NBC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored links

Resource guide