Amanda Bynes appeals her mental health detention

A judge is set to hear Amanda Bynes’ appeal of her 14-day involuntary mental health hospitalization this week at a Ventura psychiatric facility.

The actress is being held at a Ventura psychiatric facility for up to 14 days following her detention last week by Ventura County sheriff’s deputies after she set a fire in a Thousands Oaks driveway.

Under law, Bynes can appeal the detention, which was ordered by the courts after she was detained. All legal sessions at the hospital are closed to the public.

Another Ventura County Superior Court judge, Glen M. Reiser, Friday delayed a decision on a conservatorship request from her parents, saying the standard 72-hour mental-health hold on Bynes had already been extended for up to 14 days.

That judge said he wanted to hear from the actress and get a full report before making a decision. He set a new hearing for Aug. 9. But if she is ordered released from the psychiatric hospital, Bynes’ parents could seek an immediate order from Reiser.

In seeking a conservatorship, lawyers for the parents described Bynes as using drugs, consumed by paranoia and having spent $1.2 million in just a few months.

Bynes’ parents said they were “deeply concerned” that their daughter poses a risk to herself and others and that her behavior has been fueled by paranoia, drugs and an obsession with plastic surgery.

Rick and Lynn Bynes, in court papers filed by attorney Tamar Arminak, said the incident in which the 27-year-old actress allegedly set her pants on fire in the driveway of a Thousand Oaks home is the latest in a series of episodes that illustrate why she needs a conservatorship.

In court papers, the actress’ parents described their daughter as “appearing to have a substance abuse problem” and being “extremely paranoid about being watched, including at our residence.”

“She would cover smoke alarms with towels, tape windows shut and cover her car dashboard with cardboard and tape out of fear that cameras were watching her from inside these places,” according to the documents.

In addition, they said it appeared she has “body image” issues and is obsessed with the idea she and others are “ugly,” noting she called a young niece “ugly” on Twitter.

Bynes, her parents said, talks “incessantly about cosmetic surgeries that she wants” and they have “received large doctor bills.” In recent months, since moving to New York, she has started spending large amounts of cash.

According to the filing, Bynes had about $4 million in savings but has spent about $1.2 million in a short time, with many checks written out to cash. In June and July, they say, she withdrew $100,000 from her accounts -- all in cash.

The parents are seeking control of her finances and medical decisions. The move mirrors that of Britney Spears’ parents in 2008 after she exhibited what seemed to be erratic behavior. Spears remains under a conservatorship.

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richard.winton@latimes.com