On Thursday morning, actor Drake Bell was reported missing, and in danger, but according to a recent update, the former Nickelodeon star has been found safe. Taking to Twitter, Bell cleared the air on his disappearance and shared why he was declared “missing.”
In June 2021, the actor faced child endangerment charges and served a two-year probation for the offense. He and his wife, Janet Von Schmeling, also recently separated amid his move to seek treatment.
Keep on reading to learn more.
Drake Bell Says He Forgot His Phone In His Car
On Thursday morning, April 13th, the Daytona Beach Police Department took to Facebook to announce that former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell was “missing and endangered.”
According to The Blast, the initial police report mentioned that Bell was spotted driving a 2022 gray BMW, and his last known location was believed to be near Mainland High School just before 9 p.m. The announcement also urged the public to provide any information on Bell’s whereabouts.
At mid-day, hours after the missing reports, the Police Department’s spokesperson Carrie McCallister confirmed in a statement that Bell had been found: “At this time, we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact and Mr. Bell is safe.”
You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this? 😂
— DrakeBell.ethᵍᵐ (@DrakeBell) April 13, 2023
Following the news of him being found, the actor took to Twitter to clear the air on what really happened. He wrote, “You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?”
Apparently, he was not missing, just unreachable.
He Separated From His Wife
The troubles for the former child star have only compiled over the years. In January, it was reported that Bell had separated from his wife, Janet Von Schmeling, amid his ongoing struggles. According to Page Six, Von Schmeling “had enough” and decided to end their relationship.
This came after paparazzi photos had surfaced showing Bell huffing gas from balloons while sitting in the parking lot of a vape shop in California with his young son in the back seat of his car. At the time, Bell was serving a two-year probation for a child endangerment charge.
Bell’s wife, Von Schmeling, reportedly moved back to Florida with their son after their separation.
Despite the challenges, a source close to the family shared that “They had some incredible beautiful times before. He needs to focus on being healthy, and they’ll be great co-parents in the future.” Another added, “It’s a bad moment in time for Drake. But he is a great dad when he is healthy and sober.”
Bell and Von Schmeling started dating in 2013 and tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in 2018.
Drake Bell Pleads Guilty To Child Endangerment
Bell recently completed a two-year probation after he pled guilty to a felony charge of child endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating matters harmful to juveniles in June 2021.
The charges against Bell were filed by a then 19-year-old woman who accused the actor of grooming her since she was 12. She described Bell as the “epitome of evil,” alleging that their conversations turned “sexual” when she turned 15 and Bell was 31.
According to police reports, the meeting between the two followed months of social media messages that were “at times… sexual in nature.”
Before his sentence was given, Bell said, per People, “I accept this plea because my conduct was wrong. I’m sorry that the victim was harmed in any way, but that was obviously not my intention.” The actor continued, “I have taken this matter very, very seriously. And again, I just want to apologize to her and anyone else who may have been affected by my actions.”
After pleading guilty, Bell was subsequently sentenced to two years of probation and 200 hours of community service, which he completed in California.
Drake Bell Checks Into Rehab
Recently, Bell took the step to check himself into a “treatment” center to address his substance abuse issues. According to the source, he is now receiving outpatient help and focusing on his health.
Amid their separation, the former couple remains committed to co-parenting and providing their son the best support and care.
“Janet is dedicated to raising their son,” an insider revealed to People. They added, “Drake and Janet are committed to maintaining a peaceful co-parenting relationship and giving their son the best life possible.”
