Drake Bell’s brother says that the actor was suicidal over child custody issues with his estranged wife, Janet, according to TMZ. Orlando Police first reported that Bell was missing on Wednesday night. They cited Bell’s brother remarking that he had made suicidal statements about hanging himself beforehand.
“He should be traveling in a 2022 grey BMW and his last known location is potentially the area of Mainland High School on 4/12/2023 just before 9p.m.
He is considered missing and endangered,” police wrote in a post on Facebook.
Drake Bell & His Wife, Janet
Bell eventually responded to the missing person report on Twitter. “You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?” he wrote in a since-deleted post. It’s unclear what the custody issues are between Janet and Bell. “At this time we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact and Mr. Bell is safe,” Daytona Beach Police Department spokesperson Carrie McCallister confirmed to the Associated Press.
Bell has faced several legal issues over the years. In 2021, he was sentenced to two years of probation for child endangerment over his relationship with a 15-year-old girl. They had met during one of his concerts back in 2017. He later pleaded guilty to attempted endangerment of a child and disseminating harmful material to juveniles. He was sentenced to two years of probation. Bell also performed 200 hours of community service in California. “I accept this plea because my conduct was wrong,” Bell said at his sentencing in 2021. “I’m sorry the victim was harmed. It was not my intention. I take this matter very seriously, and, again, I just want to apologize to her and anyone else who may have been affected by my actions.”
Bell is best known for his starring role on Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh from 2004 through 2007. He’s also released several albums and plans to drop another project at some point later this year.
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