Dramatic scenes as singer Britney Spears is strapped to a stretcher and taken to hospital where she'll be tested for drink and drugs after refusing to hand her kids back to ex-husband Kevin Federline
Britney Spears has reportedly been placed on a 72-hour lock down in a special suicide watch-style unit for a mental evaluation after holding her children hostage and refusing to hand them over to their father at a court-appointed time.
Amid extraordinary scenes, the fallen popstar was stretchered bleary-eyed from her home last night under police guard and then taken to hospital by ambulance for tests when she was suspected to be "under the influence of an unknown substance".
A distressed Britney in the ambulance: The drama unfolded today after the singer refused to give her sons over to her ex-husband
It has now emerged that she is reportedly being held under a so-called "5150 hold" within a unit at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.com.
A "5150" order means staff believe there's evidence she is a danger to herself or others. The California order allows a clinician or officer to involuntarily confine a person, and requires signs of mental disorder and/or grave disability.
A hospital source told Usmagazine.com., the singer was designated a "special needs" patient," meaning "they have either overdosed or tried to commit suicide".
Paramedics help Spears, strapped down on to a stretcher, into an ambulance after the siege in Beverly Hills
Britney's former husband Kevin Federline is now set to seek a new hearing for full custody of the children.
At least six police cars, an ambulance, a fire engine and even a police helicopter were called to Spears's home amid fears she was threatening to harm either herself or her children. One witness described the situation as "scary".
Officers escort troubled Britney to hospital, her sons followed in a car behindShe was eventually persuaded to hand over the boys - Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James - to police after four hours of intense negotiation.
A spokesman for Los Angeles police said officers believed that Spears was under the influence of an "unknown substance".
The 26-year-old was taken to the Cedars-Sinai where she underwent a mental health assessment.
She gave a one-fingered salute to photographers as she left the ambulance on a stretcher.
Over twenty police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and even helicopters surrounded the pop star's house
Spears 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 limited visitation rights, refused to hand over the boys and police were called.
'Scary': Britney on the stretcher outside her home
Police spokesman Jason Lee said today: "Officers were called to Britney Spears's home. She was refusing to hand the children over to their father as part of a court order.
"We 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, which is in a gated community.
An ambulance then arrived and a wheelchair was taken into the house.
Stand-off: son Jayden James at hospital today, he and brother Sean Preston were later taken home by their father
Today's drama is the latest episode in the ongoing custody battle between Spears and F>
Yesterday, Spears visited Federline's lawyer Mark Kaplan at his office in Los Angeles to make a legal statement over allegations that she had "misused alcohol and other substances" in front of her sons.
Wearing a pink dress and sunglasses, the singer arrived 90 minutes late, according to Mr Kaplan.
She missed a similar appointment last month and again on Wednesday, when her law firm, Trope and Trope, filed a court motion asking to be withdrawn from the case due to a "breakdown" in communication with their client.
Arrested: Britney Spears pictured yesterday, the troubled star was detained by police after holding her own children hostage
Concerned: Britney's father Jamie and ex-husband Kevin Federline arrive at the hospital today
Britney: A look back at the singer's tumultuous life
3 January 2004: Marries childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas - the marriage is annulled after 55 hours
18 September 2004: Marries backing dancer Kevin Federline after meeting in a Hollywood nightclub.
14 September 2005: Son Sean Preston is born by Caesarean section February 2006: Photographed driving with her baby son sitting unrestrained on her lap.
12 September 2006: Gives birth to second son Jayden James
7 November 2006: Files for divorce citing irreconcilable differences and asking for fully custody of her children
16 February 2007: Spends less than 24 hours in rehab in Antigua
17 February 2007: Shaves head in full view of paparazzi at a California hair salon
21 February 2007: Attacks photographer's car with an umbrella outside Federline's home
22 February - 20 March 2007: Attends Promises rehab clinic in Malibu and leaves after 'successfully completing the programme'
9 September 2007: Gives glazed lacklustre performance of new single at MTV video awards in Las Vegas dressed in bra and hotpants
19 September 2007: Ordered by Los Angeles court to undergo random drug testing and attend parent counselling
21 September 2007: Charged with hit and run and driving without a licence
23 September 2007: Former bodyguard reveals her frequent use of cocaine and ecstasy and his fears for children's safety
1 October 2007: Loses custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James and only allowed supervised visiting rights
3 January 2008: Taken from her home by stretcher in an ambulance and held in hospital for psychiatric evaluation
Custody battle: Britney with sons Sean Preston and Jayden Jamesshare:
