Drake Bell’s brother was the one who alerted police about the actor last week, spurring a missing person’s report.
Robert Bell contacted the Orlando Police Department after Drake Bell, 36, was upset over an apparent custody dispute with his estranged wife Janet Von Schmeling, E! News reported.
Drake Bell was visiting Von Schmeling in Winter Park, Florida, last week.
The actor said in 2021 that he was secretly married and had a son, Entertainment Tonight reported. They separated in January, TMZ reported.
Drake Bell, according to a police report obtained by E! News, texted his mother that he didn’t want to live anymore.
The actor’s brother sent police screenshots and a voice recording that he said was the “Drake & Josh” star talking about hurting himself.
Police were able to track Drake Bell’s cellphone in Ormond Beach, Titusville and Daytona Beach, with a final ping at Mainland High School, but police were unable to make contact with him. They subsequently issued a missing persons alert on Facebook, saying that he was “considered missing and endangered.”
Hours later, they made contact with Drake Bell, who said he was safe.
Drake Bell then posted on Twitter, “You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?” along with a laughing emoji. The tweet has since been deleted.
Note: If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the Lifeline by dialing 988. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organization’s official website.
©2023 Cox Media Group
