Drake Bell arrested for attempted child endangerment

Police arrested actor and singer Drake Bell in Cleveland, Ohio, Friday, June 4, after being charged with attempted child endangerment and disseminating matters harmful to minors.

According to a Deadline report, the former Drake and Josh star pleaded not guilty to charges of one count of attempted endangering children, a fourth degree felony; and one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a first degree misdemeanor. He was arraigned at the Cuyahoga County court, and was freed from custody after posting bail of $2,500 and agreeing to a no-contact agreement with the alleged victim.

The indictment, which was filed on May 21, stems from an alleged December 2017 online chat between Bell, 34, and an underage teenage girl. Bell was at The Odeon Concert Club in Cleveland at the time.

According to E! News, the police investigation revealed that the victim, a 15-year-old girl, “had established a relationship with Bell several years prior, and attended his concert in December 2017. While there, Bell violated his duty of care and, in doing so, created a risk of harm to the victim.” The investigation also revealed that Bell had sent the victim “inappropriate social media messages” months prior to the concert.

The alleged victim filed the report with the Canadian police in October 2018.

Bell’s pre-trial will be on June 23. The actor could face up to 18 months in jail if found guilty of all charges.

Bell was arrested in 2015 for driving under the influence, but pleaded not guilty and was released on a $20,000-bond. In August 2020, Bell’s ex-girlfriend Melissa Lingafelt accused him of verbally and physically abusing her during their relationship, which Bell denied.

Bell rose to fame for his lead role in the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake and Josh from 2004 to 2007, alongside Josh Peck and Miranda Cosgrove. He also appeared on Nickelodeon’s The Amanda Show starring Amanda Bynes.

Bell, who is also known as Drake Campana, pursued a music career shortly after, releasing his debut album Telegraph in 2005. – Rappler.com