Featured Image Credit: Associated Press / Alamy / Daytona Beach Police Department
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Entertainment, TV And Film
Dominic Smithers
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Entertainment, TV And Film
Drake Bell has finally spoken out after he was reported missing.
Yesterday (13 April), Daytona Beach Police Department posted an alert to its Facebook page, saying that officers were concerned for the safety of the former Nickelodeon star.
The post explained that the actor - real name Jared Drake Bell - had seemingly disappeared and was 'considered missing and endangered'.
The force explained that Bell was last seen driving at around 9 p.m. near Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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"Officers are looking for Jared Bell, DOB 06/27/1986," the post read.
"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 9 p.m. He is considered missing and endangered.
"If you know where he is or have any information, please contact Detective Jayson Wallace at 386-671-5207 or [email protected]."
Fortunately, however, a few hours later, Bell was found alive and well, according to police.
The official statement read: "At this time, we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact and Mr Bell is safe."
At the time, this was all the information police provided about his disappearance.
But now, the musician has spoken out about what happened.
In a tweet, Bell revealed that there actually wasn't much to it, and that he was surprised by the media coverage.
“You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?" he wrote.
Bell is best known for his role in the beloved Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh in which she starred as one of the two titular stepbrothers in the show, alongside Josh Peck.
The series aired between 2004 and 2007 with a total of 56 episodes across four seasons. While Bell enjoyed early success as a teen, since his tenure at Nickelodeon came to an end, he has struggled both personally and professionally in the public eye.
The former child star recently completed probation over an attempted child endangerment case, in which he pleaded guilty.
He admitted the charges in July 2021, stating: "I accept this plea because my conduct was wrong."
He was also sentenced to 20 hours of unpaid community service, and told he must have no contact with the victim.
Speaking at the time, the victim said: "My life hasn't been the same since I was 15. I think about these crimes every single day. I feel like I'm in a constant dark place.
“Sometimes I wish I could disappear so I can forget about what happened. They [Bell’s actions] cannot be taken back. He was calculating, he preyed on me and sexually abused me. He is a monster and a danger to children."