Under a cadre of police in cars, motorcycles and even a helicopter, Britney Spears was rushed to the hospital early Thursday morning in what police are saying is a psychiatric case.

A Los Angeles police officer told the Associated Press that the 26-year-old star was being taken to the hospital to “get help.” Also, The Los Angeles Times quoted authorities saying Spears was being placed on a “mental evaluation hold.”

The AP also said Spears was taken to UCLA Medial Center where they say her mother, Lynne, left at 5:30 a.m. “When asked by a throng of paparazzi and reporters whether Britney was doing all right, Lynne Spears replied, ‘Yeah,’ before leaving in a Range Rover.

TMZ reported that a bitter fight was underway Thursday between Spears’ parents and her friend Sam Lutfi who Spears allegedly gave legal permission to make medical decisions on her behalf.

This is the most recent chapter in a book of downward spirals for the superstar since 2006.

On January 3, Spears was hospitalized after refusing to return her young sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, to ex-husband Kevin Federline, who has custody. Spears lost her visitation rights soon after.

See also: The Boston Globe/AP report

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