Nickelodeon fans warned not to ask Tylor Chase for photos
An update has been provided in the case of troubled Nickelodeon star Tylor Chase, along with a heartbreaking plea to fans asking the former actor for photos.
Following a decade away from the spotlight, the 36-year-old - famed for his role as Martin Qwerly in Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide - was recently found living on the streets of Riverside, California.
In devastating footage later shared to social media, the much-loved actor appeared dishevelled and had visibly become reliant on dangerous substances.
Within days, the clip reached The Mighty Ducks star Shaun Weiss. He, in turn, reached out to a number of Chase's former cast-mates, including Daniel Curtis Lee, who played Simon 'Cookie' Nelson-Cook alongside Chase in the 00s hit.
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In a new update, Weiss has revealed that Lee has spent the holiday season watching over Chase, 'making sure nothing happens to him', after several mental health centres felt forced to release him, despite reportedly agreeing that he needs treatment.
He added, however, that both of their jobs have been made trickier by fans ceaselessly swarming the former actor, whose case has gone viral.
"I'll tell you what's not helpful," Weiss warned. "Is that, people want to go and see him to get a selfie for their Instagram, and giving him money.
"That's working against us."
He went on to explain: "What I hear from Jake, from when he got out of the hospital, he was fairly lucid, he was very receptive to treatment, then he met up with some people, took some pictures and - long story short - when Tylor is using, he's not receptive.
"So, please, if you could refrain from doing that? I get it, people are weird. But it's not helping.
"He needs a little space right now, and honestly, we don't know what to do.
"I'll be out in California next week, I'll be able to help Jake keep an eye on him, but we need some help. We need some help from the county of Riverside - everybody knows he's out there on the street.
"Nobody's doing anything. This can't be possible. So, that's the situation."
The comedian went on to thank 'everyone' who is 'reaching out with resources' but added that, in cases of those giving money, he claimed he's 'taking their name down', insisting: "Money is not what we need right now."
"I don't know what else to say," Weiss concluded his emotional plea. "That's the update."
Since tracking him down with Weiss, 34-year-old Lee also provided fans with updates on Chase's case.
Last week, he confirmed that, despite he and his team repeatedly failing to transport him to a nearby rehabilitation facility, they wouldn't give up.
In a video shared at the time, Lee is heard telling Chase: "I'm going to come back at holler at you, man, and we'll talk more about trying to get that situation squared away so we can do rehab or whatever we need to, okay?"
"Okay," Chase replied, leaning in for a hug. "Thank you so much. I'm so happy to see you."
Though Weiss revealed days later that the child star was now receiving urgent medical care in a hospital in Southern California, Lee admitted he and his team are having a 'really hard time'.
"Tylor has to want to go to treatment - all the resources are available to him," he explained. "It's very frustrating.
"There's no system in place to help people like this, and what? Our only option now is to watch him wither away on the street?"
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.
Rhianna Benson