LOS ANGELES — Conflicting information about Joni Mitchell’s health was released Tuesday, with a longtime friend stating in a court filing that the singer was unconscious and unable to care for herself while a statement from the Grammy winner’s website stated she is alert and expected to make a full recovery.

Mitchell has been hospitalized since March 31 for undisclosed reasons.

Her longtime friend Leslie Morris filed a petition to become Mitchell’s guardian on Tuesday, stating that the singer-songwriter was unable to care for herself.

Within hours, Mitchell’s official website stated that “She comprehends, she’s alert and she has her full senses. A full recovery is expected.”

Morris’ court filing was accompanied by a doctor’s declaration stating that Mitchell would be unable to attend a court hearing for four to six months, but it included no additional details on her condition or prognosis. Dr. Paul Vespa checked a box signed on Saturday indicating that Mitchell was unable to participate in her medical care.

Morris sought a court order because Mitchell does not have any family who can serve as her conservator and assist with her care and medical decisions. Her filing does not seek any control over Mitchell’s finances.

Mitchell’s website states Morris’ filing seeks to get authority to make decisions for the singer once she leaves the hospital and isn’t under the 24-hour care of a doctor. A court hearing on the filing is scheduled for July 8.


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