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Lohan's Merrick Neighbors: Get Help Immediately!

MERRICK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Lindsay Lohan grew up on Long Island and on Thursday some people who knew her as a child expressed concern about her worsening behavior.

Lohan gave police her mother's address as her home, but there was no comment in Merrick from the Lohan family on the latest charges filed against the troubled starlet.

Lohan was inside the chic Chelsea nightclub Avenue at 4 a.m. Thursday when she allegedly punched another woman in the face. Lohan was arrested and charged with third-degree assault.

Problems seem drawn to Lohan like a magnet.

Criminal attorney Marc Gann with the Nassau Bar Association said he believes Lohan's troubles are about to get much worse.

"Where there's smoke, there's fire," Gann told CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan. "She's been given breaks before in the eyes of the law and hasn't taken advantage of those breaks. The prosecutor should and will likely treat her more harshly because of the prior incidents and her bad track record."

Having gone through a series of DUIs, drug and alcohol woes, car crashes and shoplifting charges, plus being in and out of rehab and courtrooms, has left the former child star apparently on fragile psychological ground, and some say she needs compassion, not ridicule.

"People respond to stress differently, and serious and emotional and substance abuse victims often have high rates of relapse and need intervention," said Dr. Victor Fornari of North Shore-LIJ Medical Center.

Lohan's latest movie project, the Lifetime Network's "Liz & Dick," was released this week. Her fans who remember seeing her back when she got her start on Long Island said they are worried about her becoming increasingly erratic.

"She looked like she had a bright career when she made her first movies as a young child, and to see her deteriorate over the years, I think that is the story," said Gene Haber of Garden City.

"She was so young and innocent," Merrick's Tricia Nesdill said of happier times when the actress starred in films like "The Parent Trap," "and her life got out of control. She needs help."

Fans shared photos of Lohan playing soccer with her Cold Spring Harbor team only months after The Parent Trap came out. She looked happy and energized.

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