Man With Rosie O'Donnell Daughter Arrested

Steven Sheerer, 25, faces obscenity charge
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 22, 2015 3:08 PM CDT
Man With Rosie O'Donnell Daughter Arrested
This photo provided by Ocean County Prosecutor's Office shows Steven Sheerer.   (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office via AP)

The owner of the New Jersey home where Rosie O'Donnell's missing teen daughter was found earlier this week has been arrested for allegedly having inappropriate online communications with the 17-year-old girl, according to authorities and the star's spokeswoman. Steven Sheerer faces charges of child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor, authorities said today. Sheerer, 25, was arrested last night at his home in Barnegat, police said. Chelsea O'Donnell had been found at the home Tuesday, hours after her mother posted a statement online saying the girl had left home on Aug. 11.

"He was involved with a minor, and Rosie's concern has been and always will be the health, safety, and well-being of her daughter," says a spokeswoman for the celeb. "Rosie is profoundly appreciative for the work the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has done and the diligence of the local police." Sheerer's arrest came several hours after authorities had obtained the girl's cellphone with her mother's consent, prosecutors said. They allegedly found "inappropriate communications" that had occurred over the last several weeks between Sheerer and the minor. Sheerer pleaded guilty to drug offenses in separate cases in 2012 and 2013. In each case, he was sentenced to two years of probation. (More Rosie O'Donnell stories.)

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