Rosie O’Donnell’s 17-year-old daughter Chelsea O’Donnell was found Tuesday after being missing for more than a week. Police later confirmed that Chelsea was found hiding in the attic of a residence occupied by 25-year-old Steven Sheerer (mug shot photo above), and on Friday, Sheerer was arrested and charged with 3rd Degree Distribution of Obscenity to a Minor and 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
According to a statement issued by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office earlier today, Sheerer’s arrest came after Rosie gave authorities permission to examine Chelsea’s cell phone. From the statement:
Sheerer’s arrest stems from an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), along with the Barnegat and Long Beach Police Departments. On Friday morning (8/21) Detectives from the High Tech Crime Unit and the Barnegat Police Department retrieved the 17 year old victim’s cell phone with consent from the victim’s mother. Examination of the phone by the HTCU revealed evidence of inappropriate communications over the last several weeks between Sheerer and the minor. Consultation with Assistant Prosecutor Hillary Bryce resulted in the above charges being signed by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit.
The same day (8/21) at 8:30 pm, Sheerer was arrested at his Village Drive residence in Barnegat by the partnering agencies. A search warrant was also executed on his residence, at which time a computer and other digital equipment were seized as part of the continuing investigation.
Sheerer is presently being held in Ocean County Jail in default of $40,000 cash bail set by Judge Phillip Miller, J.S.C. The court has also mandated Nicole’s Law, stipulating no contact with the victim or her family.
Steven Sheerer has a criminal record that includes charges of third-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of heroin, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia. Click here to see Steven Sheerer’s previous mug shot photos and arrest details.
It is still unclear how Chelsea O’Donnell (photo above) and Steven Sheerer met, although an officer did tell Page Six early on in the investigation that the two met on Tinder.
Each of Sheerer’s charges carry a penalty of five years in New Jersey State Prison.
