Rosie O’Donnell has publicly addressed the recent arrests of her eldest daughter, Chelsea O’Donnell, in Wisconsin over the past month.
In a TikTok video shared on Monday evening, the former host of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” expressed her appreciation for the supportive messages from others who have faced similar challenges with addiction.
“I just wanted to extend my thanks to everyone for their kind words and support regarding Chelsea,” O’Donnell said. “And to those who have shared their own struggles with a child, spouse, or other loved ones, thank you for helping me feel less alone. Being a public figure can be tough at times, and so can being the children of public figures.
“However, that’s just the reality of today’s culture. And here we are.”
O’Donnell has five children and shares her 27-year-old daughter Chelsea with her former partner Kelli Carpenter.
Chelsea O’Donnell faces charges of drug possession, child neglect, and domestic abuse
Chelsea O’Donnell was arrested and processed at Marinette County jail on September 10, as indicated by inmate records obtained by YSL News. Court documents show she made bail of $2,000 on September 24 and faces several charges, including maintaining a “drug trafficking place,” child neglect, domestic abuse, and possession of methamphetamine, THC, drug paraphernalia, and a fraudulent prescription.
On October 11, Chelsea was booked into Oconto County Jail and currently remains in custody. There, she faces additional charges of bail jumping, resisting or obstructing a police officer, and more possession charges, including methamphetamine and narcotics, as per court documents.
She has not yet entered a plea in either case and is scheduled to appear in court in Marinette County on November 4 and in Oconto County on November 7. Attempts to reach Chelsea O’Donnell’s attorney for comment were unsuccessful.
Additionally, Rosie O’Donnell touched upon her adopted daughter’s challenges in a weekend social media update.
“Unfortunately, this is not new for our family – Chelsea has battled drug addiction for a decade,” she expressed. “We all hold hope that she can overcome this dangerous illness.”
Chelsea O’Donnell gained public attention as a teenager in 2015 when she ran away from her New York home, only to be found a week later in New Jersey. At 18, she began living with her biological mother in Wisconsin. Presently, she is a mother of four, with her youngest child born last fall, as noted in Rosie O’Donnell’s October 30, 2023, Instagram update.
If you or someone close to you is dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues, you can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for free, confidential treatment referrals at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This service operates 24/7 in both English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).
