Lindsay Lohan's long journey to rehab took a bizarre twist on Thursday - when the actress changed her mind about checking in to a treatment facility at the last possible moment.
Lohan was scheduled to enter rehab on Thursday morning to begin her 90 days of court-ordered treatment.
But the troubled starlet reportedly never checked into the Morningside Recovery in Newport Beach, and is now said to be on her way to New York, according to her father Michael Lohan.
Getting help: Lindsay Lohan's lawyer Mark Heller (L) appeared in court on Thursday morning while at the same time the actress was entering a rehab facility
Lindsay's decision came while her lawyer Mark Heller was in court telling a judge that she had entered the facility at 8.45am.
Lindsay's SUV arrived at the California facility but the vehicle left with Lindsay still inside, according to TMZ.
The website alleges that Lindsay was spotted at a Fry's Electronics store in Fountain Valley at 9am, while at the same time her lawyer was in court asserting she had already checked into rehab.
Checking in: According to reports Lindsay entered the California centre at 8.45am to start her 90 day stint
RadarOnline, however, reports that Lindsay did in fact walk through the doors of the facility, but left a few minutes after.
'She told people there that she didn't need rehab,' a source told Radar. 'And then she left. Everyone was stunned.'
Lindsay's father Michael also confirmed to Radar that his daughter never checked in.
'I have no other choice than to get this out there to help Lindsay,' he said.
In and out: Lindsay allegedly left the plush rehab facility after 'a few minutes'
Lindsay’s failure to check in to the facility is likely a violation of her recent plea deal. According to TheNew York Daily News, she was on her way to the airport to board a flight for New York.
'If there’s credible confirmation she’s heading back to New York, then I’m going to have to go in and ask the court to issue a warrant,” Santa Monica City Attorney Terry White told the paper.
'If
that’s the case I have been told that she will be arrested in New York
and her bail will be set at $100,000,' her father Michael told Radar.
Michael told the Daily News he spoke to Lindsay before the flight, pleading with her not to get on it.
'She said, "Daddy, how can they arrest me?" I got her just before she left,' said Michael.
Could face arrest: Lindsay’s failure to check in to the facility is likely a violation of her recent plea deal
Adding to the confusion Lindsay wasn't even meant to be at Morningside.
Instead the 26-year-old was due to spend her stint at the New York based Seafield after pleading no contest to charges for lying to police about driving during a car crash last June.
Lindsay switched facilities after apprently deciding she didn’t want to attend Seafield because it banned smoking.
At the exact time Lindsay was said to be wandering around the electronics store, her lawyer Mark Heller was in court pleading to get the okay from the judge that Morningside would suffice.
Under fire: It has been claimed that Morningside Recovery cannot offer treatment after its licence was revoked
As going to a different centre that was not approved by the court technically broke her plea agreement, the star’s attorney was required to appear before a judge.
Heller, who wore an eyesore of a tie in red and black stripes for the hearing, was attempting to convince Judge James R Dabney to approve of the switch.
He argued that as Lindsay has already entered and is ‘ensconced’ in the program, it could effect her recovery should she have to move facilities.
Revoked: The Newport Beach rehab centre allegedly can only act as a sober living facility and treat outpatients
Orange County's finest: Police were seen surrounding Morningside as Lindsay checked in
Lindsay's living quarters: The rehab facility features quaint interiors, as this photograph reveals
‘She's going to be meeting with a psychiatrist later today,’ Heller explained, reinforcing that the star is ‘commencing immediate treatment’.
It comes amid claims that the centre in fact does not even have a licence to offer residential treatment as it was revoked in May 2012.
According to TMZ, Morningside had their licence suspended after they were found to be careless with prescription drugs and went beyond the constraints of the licence.
Starting off on the right foot: Heller claims that Lindsay will be meeting with a psychiatrist later in the day
Looking out for Lindsay: Mark told Judge James R. Dabney that it would be a bad idea to move his client already
The Deputy Director of Licensing and Certificates at the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs told the website: ‘Morningside cannot give any treatment,’ as the rehab centre is allegedly only allowed to provide a sober living facility.
But Morningside Recovery released a statement on Thursday claiming the facility does in fact have a licence to provide drug and alcohol treatment.
The facility's CEO Mary Helen Beatificato
said the 2011 revocation of Morningside's licence only hinders the
centre's ability to provide detox services to residents.
Convincing: Lindsay chose a rehab centre which was not approved by the court so Mark was attempting to get the judge to OK the decision
Fighting his corner: The switch to a different rehab technically violates Lindsay's plea agreement and now the centre must be approved
The judge however didn’t seem to have too many qualms about the switch to that particular facility, despite the fact that it was not one on a list of six centres approved by the court.
‘It does appear to comply,’ Judge Dabney said, adding that the prosecution had eight days to decide whether or not they will agree with the centre being approved.
‘I don't have any problems with Miss Lohan remaining in this program until the issue is resolved,’ he said.
‘If
we decide the program does not meet the requirements of the plea
agreement then she will have to move to a different program.’
Nicotine fix: It has been claimed that Lindsay switched facilities as the centre she was scheduled to stay in had a no-smoking ban
Staying put: The Liz & Dick star will stay in the California facility until a decision has been made by the court
He explained: 'The issue is going to be whether or not we need to set a hearing because the people are complaining [the centre] does not fit the parameters.'
Heller and Terry White of the prosecution will reconvene in front of the judge on May 10, at which point it will be determined whether or not they will set a date for a restitution hearing.
Lindsay's lawyer said he has faith that Morningside will be approved, even though White claimed he had three separate news articles which showed the facility in a bad light.
Final moments of freedom: On Wednesday Lindsay spent her last day before rehab shopping and chain-smoking
'If [White] says he's satisfied then I don't think we have to come back,' Heller said, adding, 'I'm 100% sure he will be satisfied.'
Heller
then claimed that he will 'make sure [Lindsay] stays in therapy', and
had called in the COO of Morningside in the hope that she could win over
White.
The judge later stated that Lindsay will not have to appear in court as the case continues 'as long as she is in compliance'.
In addition, none of the star's progress reports are to be released to the public aside from 'proof of completion' at the end of her stay.
'90 days and 270 looks': Lindsay posted a picture of herself packing for her stay in rehab on Instagram on Tuesday night