Rosie O'Donnell's Daughter Regains Her Freedom With Condition Of 'Absolute Sobriety'
By Afouda Bamidele on November 18, 2024 at 9:30 AM EST
Rosie O'Donnell's daughter, Chelsea O'Donnell, is embracing freedom with strict conditions after spending over a month behind bars.
Following her release on a $4,000 bond, Chelsea now faces the challenge of adhering to the court's requirement of absolute sobriety. She has been navigating her felony case with the help of a court-appointed defender while dealing with the consequences of her actions.
Chelsea O'Donnell's legal troubles began earlier this fall, landing her in a Wisconsin jail on October 11.
Rosie O'Donnell's Daughter Out Of Jail On $4,000 Bond
Chelsea is out of jail after a court granted her release on a $4,000 bond during a hearing in Wisconsin on November 12. Her newfound freedom, however, comes with a firm condition: absolute sobriety.
According to court records, Chelsea must completely abstain from alcohol and illegal substances as part of her bond agreement. The court also mandated, "Defendant shall not possess/consume any illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia/controlled substances without a valid prescription."
Additionally, the 27-year-old was instructed to report to the Sheriff's Department for fingerprinting and photographs as part of her release requirements. As noted by In Touch, Chelsea's next court date is scheduled for December 12, where she will face ongoing legal proceedings tied to her case.
Chelsea O'Donnell Faces Serious Legal Charges In Drug Bust
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Chelsea's legal troubles began on September 10 after a 911 call to her Wisconsin home led to alarming discoveries. Police responded to the scene and reportedly found Chelsea with dilated pupils, a meth pipe, and other drug paraphernalia.
A subsequent search uncovered a black vial containing methamphetamine, Alprazolam pills, and marijuana-related items.
According to the obtained police report, officers also found Chelsea's child sleeping in a room filled with a "meth pipe, a gem bag with methamphetamine inside, a marijuana grinder, and another container with marijuana shake in it."
Chelsea was then arrested and charged with four serious felonies: maintaining a drug trafficking place, child neglect, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of THC.
The Comedian Broke Her Silence On Chelsea's Struggles
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Chelsea has faced a tumultuous journey, including her most recent legal troubles. The star, who shares four children—three with her ex, Jacob Bourassa, and a newborn, Atlas, with current boyfriend Jacob Nelund—has struggled with addiction for years.
Rosie, who adopted Chelsea as a baby with ex-wife Kelli Carpenter, addressed her daughter's arrest in a heartfelt statement on Instagram. "Sadly, this is not new for our family," Rosie wrote.
The statement continued, "Chelsea has struggled with drug addiction for a decade – we are all hopeful she will find her way out of this deadly disease."
Chelsea Faces Felony Charges With Court-Appointed Lawyer
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While gearing up for her legal battle, Chelsea made a surprising move, relying on a court-appointed public defender rather than a fancy one. The mother-of-four appeared in court with attorney Bradley Hansen, who has stepped in to represent her against charges of child neglect and drug possession.
The Blast reported that Hansen made his debut in the case on November 1, requesting that prosecutors hand over all evidence intended for use in the hearing. The lawyer also demanded access to:
"All evidence and/or other information which would tend to negate the guilt of the defendant, including laboratory reports, hospital records or reports, police reports, or any other information within the state's possession, knowledge, or control."
Rosie O'Donnell's Daughter Was Charged With Three More Felonies
Chelsea's troubles did not end after getting released on bond after her first arrest. Instead, things escalated after a second arrest just weeks after her initial release.
Rosie's daughter found herself back in custody after police stopped her car and discovered drugs in her possession on October 11.
During questioning, Chelsea reportedly attempted to discard a meth pipe by tossing it into a nearby river, but the plan failed when the pipe struck a fence and bounced back.
Authorities later uncovered methamphetamine, oxycodone, morphine sulfate, and hydrocodone during her medical clearance for custody.
Chelsea now faces three more felony charges, including possession of meth, possession of narcotics, and bail jumping, alongside additional misdemeanor counts.
With the court's strict mandate of absolute sobriety, Chelsea O'Donnell faces the challenge of proving her commitment to change while handling the weight of multiple felony charges.