Amanda Bynes Fire Victim 'Forgives' Her, Wants to Put Incident in the Past
Amanda Bynes set a fire in Bonnie Braaten's driveway in Thousand Oaks, California in August, leading to her involuntary psych hold and treatment. Now that Bynes has been released from her treatment facility, Braaten is speaking out about the incident and offering forgiveness to the young star.
"I just hope she got better," Braaten told Radar Online. "I'm glad she's getting treated at home; people don't get over drug addiction overnight. There's nothing to be angry about. It doesn't do you any good. I forgive her. I feel sorry for her that she got herself into that mind."
Bynes started a small fire in Braaten's driveway and ended up catching her own pants on fire; her small dog was covered in gasoline and could have easily caught fire and perished. An observer called the authorities and Bynes was taken into custody; she was placed on a 5150 hold, which required her to receive some form of psychological treatment. A judge determined that she needed further care, and Bynes has been receiving treatment ever since. She was just released last week.
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Bynes was reportedly diagnosed and treated for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She is now with her family and managing her treatment on an out-patient basis. Bynes angered the judge in her marijuana case by failing to show up for her court date. She was due in court to hear further information regarding the case in which she allegedly threw a bong out of her apartment window before being taken into custody by police.
Braaten noted that she has put the incident behind her and doesn't "need it all dragging back up. I've put it behind me. I'm glad she got better, but I'm not sure what good an apology could do. I was very fortunate that passersby saw her and it [the fire] didn't spread to my house or my neighbors' house."
Bynes reportedly wants to focus on school and study fashion.
