Amanda Bynes may be exhibiting signs of schizophrenia, according to a new report, and medical professionals will reportedly be seeking a two-week extension on her 5150 psychiatric hold to properly diagnose her.
TMZ cites a medical source who says red flags were raised when Bynes was taken into custody Monday night after she allegedly set fire to an elderly woman’s driveway in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Bynes’ parents are reportedly seeking a conservatorship in light of recent incidents. It appears they wanted to take action sooner but, until now, they did not have enough evidence to convince authorities that she is unable to care for herself and could be a danger to others, sources explained to the gossip site.
Following the driveway fire, Bynes’ parents may now be able to convince a judge that she needs help and supervision.
It was revealed in an earlier report that Bynes’ adorable pet Pomeranian was accidentally doused in gasoline while she was reportedly building the driveway blaze. She then rushed to a local liquor store to clean the dog off.
Surveillance footage posted by TMZ shows the wigged-out child star holding the pup and pacing around the store before bee-lining to the “employees only” area. A cashier is seen rushing from behind the register to see what she was doing.
According to the gossip site, the cashier found Bynes attempting to wash off the dog in a sink, and when she was confronted, she immediately “freaked out” and left the store.
Police later confronted the former Nickelodeon actress and placed her on 5150 psychiatric hold, believing she was a safety risk to herself and others. Law enforcement officials told TMZ that the dog is safe and has been claimed by Bynes’ parents.
As previously reported, Bynes allegedly set fire to her elderly neighbor’s driveway — along with her own clothing — prompting a forced psychiatric evaluation, authorities said.
The troubled actress, 27, allegedly lit the blaze in front of a small house at around 8:40 p.m. on Monday, sources told The Post.
A driver first spotted the actress on the ground — with her pants on fire.
“It’s dark, it’s 8:45 and I just see her laying down, stomach up and her pant legs on fire, a trail of, you know, fire and gas, and I pull over,” said witness Andrew Liverpool. In this case, no charges were filed.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and discovered a five-foot burn mark on the driveway.
“There were two burn marks, a plastic nozzle from a gas can — and a Super Soaker squirt gun,” Ventura County Captain Scott Dettorre told The Post.
Cops soon determined Bynes was responsible for the blaze — noting she was in need of “a mental health hold,” which allows forced hospitalization if the person is a safety risk.