Drake Bell laughs off police search due to being ‘missing’
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell was reported missing by Daytona Beach Police but was later found safe and unharmed in Orange County, Florida. The police had earlier issued a statement on Facebook that Bell was endangered and missing but later confirmed that he was safe and in contact with law enforcement officials. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office added that deputies ensured he received a mental health evaluation. Bell responded to the situation and claimed that he was safe but unreachable as he had left his phone in his car overnight. It is unclear why officers were concerned about his location or where and when Bell was found.
Bell made headlines in 2021 when he pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and a misdemeanour charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 200 hours of community service and was prohibited from contacting the victim, who accused him of grooming her from the age of 12 and sexually abusing her when she was 15. Bell addressed the allegations in a video on Instagram and acknowledged that he had made mistakes, but also emphasised that the claims had been proven false by the state of Ohio. He said that he had responded to a fan whose age he did not know, but when he became aware of the fan’s age, all communication stopped. Bell added that he was not charged with anything physical and that the charges were related to reckless and irresponsible text messages.