Former Nickelodeon actor Drake Bell, known for his role in the hit TV series “Drake & Josh,” has been found safe hours after he was declared missing and endangered by police in Florida. The Daytona Beach Police Department confirmed on Thursday, April 13th, that the 36-year-old actor is safe and that law enforcement officials are in contact with him.
Earlier on the same day, the department had announced on Facebook that Bell was missing and endangered. Authorities added that he was last seen on Wednesday evening, just before 9 p.m., near Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. However, he was having a normal day with his young son at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, just 24 hours before he went missing.
Bell shares his son, Jeremy, with his estranged wife, Janet Von Schmeling. In January 2023, Page Six reported that the former couple was going through a separation.
In 2015, Bell was arrested and charged with a felony count of attempted endangerment of a child. Alongside a misdemeanour count of disseminating matters harmful to juveniles after having inappropriate conversations with a minor. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years of probation.
During his sentencing hearing, Bell’s victim released a statement accusing him of preying on her and sexually abusing her. The victim alleged that he sent explicit photos to her when she was 15 years old. She called him “a monster and a danger to children.”
In 2020, Bell’s ex-girlfriend named Melissa Lingafelt, also known by her stage name Jimi Ono accused him of abuse. H vehemently denied this accusation.
Bell has not made any statement about his recent disappearance, and it’s unclear why he was reported missing and endangered. However, fans and followers of the former child star can now rest easy knowing he has been found safe.
