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Poundstone jailed briefly after relapse

Poundstone arrives for a court hearing in Santa Monica, California, earlier this year.

SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- Comedian Paula Poundstone was sent back to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center Tuesday after spending half a day in county jail for a probation violation.

After Poundstone, 41, admitted in court she had violated her probation by taking medication that was not on the list of prescription drugs she was allowed to take, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Bernard Kamins sent her out of the courtroom in handcuffs and she was taken to county jail, according to a court spokesman.

The judge could have sentenced her to as much as a month in jail for the violation, but he pronounced no sentence before sending her into custody, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney.

Hours later he called Poundstone back and sent her back to Promises, a Malibu-based alcohol rehabilitation facility, Robison said.

The half day in jail was meant to drive home the point that the probation is a serious matter, Robison said.

She said Poundstone's probation counselor had written the judge, saying the comedian had violated her probation by taking medication that had not been prescribed.

Five weeks ago, Poundstone was sentenced to 180 days at Promises after pleading no contest to child endangerment charges.

Three other charges of felony lewd conduct involving a girl under 14 years old were dropped at her sentencing hearing. All the charges involved Poundstone's adoptive and foster children.

Poundstone's attorney said after her sentencing that her alcoholism led to poor judgment and the subsequent charge of endangerment.

She is to appear in court December 5, the last day of her probation. At that time, the court will review progress reports covering various aspects of the treatment and probation.