Rosie O’Donnell’s Daughter’s Meth Mess Charged With Child Neglect
Officers found a box of hypodermic needles in the child's room.
John Nick
Chelsea Belle O’Donnell, the eldest daughter of comedian Rosie O’Donnell, was arrested on September 10 in Marinette, Wisconsin, after police discovered her 11-month-old son in a home filled with drug paraphernalia and unsanitary conditions.
The 27-year-old has been charged with multiple felonies, including child neglect, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of THC.
Additionally, she faces two misdemeanors for disorderly conduct and possession of illegally obtained prescription drugs.
According to reports from In Touch, police were dispatched to O’Donnell’s residence after Chelsea herself called 911.
During the call, the operator reportedly heard yelling in the background, along with a woman telling someone to “get the hell away” from her.
When officers arrived, O’Donnell attempted to downplay the situation, attributing the commotion to an argument with her boyfriend, Jacob Nelund.
Police noted in their report, “I tried to ask her more questions, and you could tell Chelsea was not being honest whatsoever.
This was a repeat of what happened a few weeks prior when I was at her house for a similar incident.”
Further investigation revealed a pipe containing meth residue, prompting the arrest of Chelsea O’Donnell.
While checking on her infant son, Atlas, officers found a box of hypodermic needles in the child’s room.
After being placed in a police cruiser, O’Donnell admitted to having additional drugs concealed in her bra, leading to the recovery of a bag containing white pills.
Ultimately, police reported that she was found to be in possession of 18 grams of meth.
Both Chelsea and Nelund appeared to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the arrest.
The police report described Nelund’s physical appearance as “sunken in” with missing teeth, and noted, “His muscle tone was very rigid and he seemed like he was flexing even though he was not.” When questioned, he claimed to have only smoked marijuana; however, the officer observed that his condition suggested otherwise.
The report characterized the state of the home as deplorable, with descriptions of moldy dishes, rotting food, and unsanitary waste strewn about. “The inside of the home was disgusting, with milk that stunk so bad it almost made me puke, dirty diapers, used female hygiene products, unclean underwear with feces and blood stains, and used razor blades on the floor,” the report stated.
Officers found further evidence of drug use in the residence, including a meth pipe and a bong in a location easily accessible to a small child.
The report also indicated that a digital scale and used gem bags with white residue were found under the baby crib, along with a sharps container filled with used and unused hypodermic needles.
Rosie O’Donnell, 62, has had a turbulent relationship with her daughter in recent years.
Chelsea was adopted by Rosie and her ex-wife Kelli Carpenter when she was a baby, but she moved out of their home at the age of 18 to be closer to her biological mother.
In 2017, Rosie publicly expressed concerns about Chelsea’s mental health, stating, “Chelsea is mentally ill. She has been in and out of hospitals most of her life. Born addicted to heroin. She has had a tough road. She is very sick. She is not capable of truth or reason.”
The recent arrest and charges against Chelsea O’Donnell highlight ongoing issues related to drug use and child welfare, raising significant concerns within the community and among her family.
