LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - It seems obvious to everyone (except for Dina) that Lindsay is in serious trouble of some sort. But her father, Michael Lohan, is drawing criticism for the way he's spoken out publicly about his daughter's need for help.

Michael told X17online last night that he will continue to call attention to her problems, as it may be the only way to get her the help she needs.

"Thanks for helping me to bring more attention to this horrible and heartbreaking situation. I want to say however, that part of this pinnacle was when I saw pix of Akon and others groping at my daughter when she seemed to be in an defenseless state. After all she has been through and how she has been taken advantage of for so long and in so many ways, a father never wants to see his child in situations like that. And any father who says otherwise is a liar. I will never overlook any violation of someone I love."

Dina told The Post that she doesn't approve of the way that Michael's been speaking out about his troubled daughter, saying he's "making things up." Ummm, have ya seen her lately, Dina? There's no doubt she needs help.

Dina went on to say, "I've had full custody of all my children for the last 10 years. He has been incarcerated for some of that time, so whatever is going on in Lindsay's personal life is our business. And for him getting paid to say things about her when he's five months behind in child support is wrong."

When asked what Michael's referring to when he talked about Lilo's issues, Dina replied, "I have no idea what he is talking about. I can't comment on everything my ex says." Perhaps if Dina spent more time as a parent and less time on her shoe collection, she'd have an "idea of what he's talking about!"

In response to Dina's public criticism of how her ex speaks to the press (hypocrite, much?), Michael told us:

"I'm not going to get into a mud slinging contest with Dina. What I said was and is the truth and, for good reason, we should all be concerned. Lindsay is our daughter and her health and well being should come first.

I never get paid for the statements I make, and I am not estranged from Lindsay. Maybe she is angry with me, for good reason, but when she has a problem and needs help, she calls me right away. Such was the case when she was robbed, along with a number of other situations.

As far as child support, I am not 5 months behind, and as a matter of fact, I give Dina and my children money that isn't even part of my child support payments. For Dina to say something like this, isn't it exactly what she said I should do? The difference is, I am not slamming anyone or airing dirty laundry, instead, I am taking a pro-active stance to help and possibly save my child.

I have nothing bad to say about Dina. The time I was married to her she was a great mother. As far as I am concerned, we need to take steps to bring Lindsay back to the person she was before the 'Doctor Feel Goods' and so called addiction specialists, got involved and changed her life. If anyone,they are the ones who need to be exposed, investigated and prosecuted."

Previously, Michael compared Lindsay to Britney, whose life is back on track after a familial intervention...but now he's saying her situation could be closer to Jacko's or Anna Nicole's...let's just hope she gets the help she needs before she ends up like one of them!

CLICK HERE to see the photo gallery of Lindsay and Akon together in Paris