The Downward Spiral Continues

This is a woman in need of serious medical attention. Britney Spears is a mess, physically, emotionally, and medically. In the latest incident, she was taken to a hospital by ambulance for yet another medical evaluation hold. That's her second one in about two weeks.

A Los Angeles police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, said the 26-year-old pop star was being taken to "get help" but did not give the ambulance's destination. The Los Angeles Times, citing unidentified authorities, said Spears was taken to UCLA Medical Center to be placed on a "mental evaluation hold." Center spokesman Mark Wheeler declined to comment to The Associated Press, citing privacy laws.

Spears' police escort included motorcycles, two cruisers, and two helicopters.

On Jan. 3, police were called to her home when she refused to return her two young sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, to ex-husband Kevin Federline, who has custody.

Officers had paramedics haul Spears to a hospital for undisclosed reasons. She was released after a day and a half in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Police also went to the home Monday night after someone reported a swarm of paparazzi trespassing in the singer's gated community. When officers arrived, they didn't see anyone trespassing, police said, but citations were issued for several illegally parked cars.

Her bizarre antics have cost her custody of her two children. Kevin Federline, himself no paragon of virtue, comes off looking like a saint in comparison to Spears. What is in the best interests of the children? To be with someone who isn't a threat to the children or themselves, and right now, it appears that Spears isn't that person. Perhaps if she receives serious and ongoing medical treatment, she may one day regain custody of her children, but until that time, I don't see it happening.

It's tragic; most of all for her two children.