According to television show Access Hollywood, Mischa Barton has been placed under involuntary psychiatric hold - also known as a section 5150 - and transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre. Under Californian law, authorities can hold a person under section 5150 if they present a danger to themselves or others, are gravely disabled or suffer from a mental disorder.
Barton can be held for up to 72 hours. Britney Spears was hospitalised under the same code last year.
Police were reportedly called to Mischa Barton’s house in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon to take the actress to a medical centre because of a “medical emergency”, according to Access Hollywood. Police officers arrived at the star’s home after responding to a non-emergency call. The 23-year-old was then escorted from her West Hollywood apartment to an unknown location. A police spokesperson confirmed that patrol officers were sent to Barton’s home at around 3pm on Wednesday to assist her with a medical issue, and no other individuals were involved and no one was arrested.
Mischa has previously been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and possessing marijuana. In April 2008, she was sentenced by a Los Angeles court judge to 36 months probation, told to attend alcohol education classes and had to pay a large fine.
Watch our interview of Mischa Barton behaving erratically at the opening of the Harrods sale
