Amanda Bynes Fire Prompts Mental Health Detainment, Could Last Two Weeks
Amanda Bynes is under police detainment and mental health evaluation after allegedly starting a fire in front of a home at Thousand Oaks, Calif. on Monday.
According to a Ventura County Sheriff's Office spokesman, Bynes has been placed under a 5150 involuntary hold by the police after causing a disturbance to the home, ABC News reported.
The California Welfare and Institutions Code, otherwise known as a 5150 hold, allows a qualified officer to place a person under confinement for 72 hours if the person is suspected to have a mental illness and poses a threat to themself and others, the report noted.
Reports say the former child star set a small fire in front of the home in Thousand Oaks, at the 200 block of Avenida De Los Arboles around 8:45 p.m. Monday.
"There was a call about a small fire that she'd apparently set in front of the residence, kind of out on a sidewalk on the concrete," Sgt. Eric Buschow told the Los Angeles Times. "It wasn't an attempt to burn down the house or anything."
Police say after investigating the incident, Bynes was subdued for confinement.
"Deputies investigated the incident and determined that she met the criteria of 5150.... She was detained and taken for a mental health evaluation," Sheriff's Capt. Don Aguilar explained to the LA Times.
Sgt. Buschow also told ABC News, though, that Bynes will not be charged with any crime.
However, according to sources close to the case, the "Hairspray" star could face mental confinement for over two weeks. According to The LA Times, if authorities can prove that the star, who has been on a string of run-ins with the police for questionable behavior, is a danger to herself and other people, she could be detained under 5150 hold for up to 14 days.