An actor best known as the star of the Nickelodeon television show “Drake & Josh,” was discovered unharmed Thursday, hours after officials in Florida declared him “missing and endangered.”
Bell was in contact with police authorities and was not in danger, according to Daytona Beach Police Department spokesman Carrie McCallister in an email.
“At this time, we can confirm that law enforcement officials are in contact with Mr. Bell and that he is safe,” McCallister added.
The police department had issued a statement proclaiming Bell “missing and endangered” and asking the public for assistance in locating him.
Bell was last spotted Wednesday night near a Daytona Beach high school before being found mid-day Thursday.
Requests for comment from the actor’s representatives were not immediately returned.
Bell began performing as a child and rose to prominence as a teen on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show” and then on “Drake & Josh.” The Nickelodeon show, starring Bell and Josh Peck, aired from 2004 to 2007, and was followed by two films. Bell has largely worked as a voice actor since then, with minor roles in obscure TV shows and films. He also began a music career.
Bell was charged with child endangerment in 2021 in relation to a girl who was 15 at the time of his 2017 show in Cleveland and had met him online years prior. He was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to felony attempted child endangerment and misdemeanor transmitting matter detrimental to kids. In California, he was allowed to complete his probation and 200 hours of community service.
Source: fremonttribune.com