Amanda Bynes detention: Judge says he wants to talk with actress
A Ventura County probate judge delayed any decision on whether to give control of Amanda Bynes’ affairs to her parents, noting that she is still under a 14-day mental-health hold.
The actress was detained this week by deputies after she was spotted lighting a fire outside a Thousand Oaks home. The fire also set her pants ablaze.
Judge Glen M. Reiser made no decision Friday on any conservatorship for Bynes, citing no immediate need, as a 72-hour hold on her following her detention Monday had already been extended.
The conservatorship request by Bynes’ mother mirrors one made by Britney Spears’ family in 2008 after she had exhibited erratic behavior while in public.
The conservatorship filing follows a series of bizarre incidents involving the “Hairspray” actress that culminated this week when Ventura County sheriff’s deputies took her into custody for mental evaluation.
On Friday, Judge Reiser set a new hearing date for Aug. 9 and directed Bynes and her court-appointed attorney, Mary Shea, to be present.
The judge, without Bynes present, asked for a formal report from the doctors treating Bynes and said he wants to talk with her.
On Thursday night another judge directed that Bynes, who is being treated at Hillmont Psychiatric Center in Ventura, be held up to 14 days, citing public safety and own safety, according to sources.
The actress’ parents were at Friday’s hearing with attorney Tamar Arminak, who filed the conservatorship papers.
Early this week, Andrew Liverpool told reporters he saw “this girl lying down here with her left pant leg on fire and there is this gas can right here and it is trailing fire.”
Liverpool said when he went to help, she had already managed to snuff out the flames on her pant leg.
The witness said Bynes was with a small dog and that when the man asked if she was OK, she said she was fine.
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