Former Nickelodeon Star Drake Bell Found Safe After Missing Report
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell was found safe on Thursday after being reported missing in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The Daytona Beach Police Department had issued an alert for the 36-year-old actor, who was last seen on April 12 near Mainland High School.
Bell Addresses the Situation on Social Media
Bell, whose legal name is Jared Drake Bell, took to Twitter to address the situation, saying, “You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?”
He did not provide further details about his whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding the alert. The police department later confirmed that Bell was in contact with Florida officials and was safe.
A Brief Overview of Bell’s Career and Personal Life
Drake Bell rose to fame as a child actor, with roles in Jerry Maguire, Seinfeld, and High Fidelity. He later starred in Nickelodeon’s “Drake & Josh” from 2004 to 2007, where he also sang the theme song and contributed to the soundtrack.
Since then, Bell has released several albums, including one earlier this year, and has continued to work as an actor and voice artist.
Legal troubles have marred bell’s personal life and struggles with substance abuse. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and disseminating matters harmful to juveniles stemming from an incident in December 2017. He was sentenced to probation.
Questions Remain About the Missing Report
While Bell is now confirmed safe, questions remain about the circumstances that led to the initial missing report. The Daytona Beach Police Department has not provided additional information regarding the situation.
Recent Developments in Bell’s Personal and Professional Life
In recent years, Drake Bell has faced several challenges in his personal life, including substance abuse issues and a rocky relationship with his wife, Janet Von Schmeling, whom he married in 2018.
The couple has a son together, but they have reportedly been separated for months. In January, Bell entered outpatient treatment for substance abuse.
As for his professional life, Bell has continued to work in the entertainment industry, appearing in live-action versions of the animated show “The Fairly Odd Parents” and lending his voice to Spider-Man in video games and TV series. He has also participated in reality TV competitions such as “Cupcake Wars” and “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars.”
Bell’s Previous Legal Troubles
Drake Bell has faced legal issues in the past, including two DUI arrests. In June 2021, he was charged with attempted endangering children and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles after he “developed a relationship” online with a teenager and sent her “inappropriate social media messages.” The case culminated in a December 2017 concert in Cleveland, Ohio, where a woman, who was then 19, claimed that Bell had sexually assaulted her multiple times when she was 15. Bell denied these allegations.
A former girlfriend, actress Melisa Lingafelt, also accused Bell of verbally and physically abusing her. However, Bell denied these claims, stating they were part of “a misguided quest for more money or attention.”
Continuing Investigation into Bell’s Disappearance
Although Drake Bell has been found safe, the Daytona Beach Police Department has not shared any further details about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
What led to the initial missing report remains unclear and why Bell was considered “missing and endangered.” For now, fans and the public can only speculate on the events that transpired.
