US
Drake Bell: Nickelodeon star found safe after being reported missing by police in Florida
Nickelodeon star Drake Bell has been found safe – after being reported missing by police.
Officers had issued an appeal for information to help find the 36-year-old US actor, who starred in the hit children’s show Drake & Josh from 2004 to 2007.
In their appeal, police said Bell was last seen in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Wednesday night and that he was “missing and endangered”.
However, a spokesperson for Daytona Beach Police Department said Bell had since been in touch with its officers.
“At this time we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact and Mr Bell is safe,” the spokesperson said.
The actor, whose full name is Jared Drake Bell, starred as the character Drake Parker alongside co-star Josh Peck on the Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh.
He later starred in the animated TV series Avengers Assemble, voicing Spider-Man, and as Timmy Turner in a live-action film adaptation of Nickelodeon hit The Fairly Odd Parents.
In June 2021, Bell, originally from California, entered a guilty plea during a case involving attempted child endangerment.
The charges related to an online incident involving a 15-year-old fan in 2017.
Police released this picture of Bell as part of their appeal. Pic: Daytona Beach Police Department.
Bell, who was 31 at the time of the incident, said he did not know the girl’s age at the time and that “all conversation and communication stopped” when he became aware.
He admitted child endangerment and disseminating material harmful to juveniles.
Bell was sentenced to two years of probation and 200 hours of community service.