Rosie O’Donnell Speaks Out on Daughter’s Arrest for Alleged Drug Possession and Child Neglect

Chelsea O’Donnell Faces Multiple Charges Amid Ongoing Struggles with Addiction

Rosie O’Donnell has publicly addressed the recent arrests of her oldest daughter, Chelsea O’Donnell, expressing her gratitude for the support she’s received during this challenging time. In a heartfelt TikTok video posted Monday night, the former host of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” thanked those who reached out to share their own experiences with addiction, noting the isolation that can come with being a public figure and the challenges faced by their families.

“I just wanted to thank everybody for their kind words and wishes about Chelsea,” O’Donnell said. “And for all the people who told me they were going through something similar with a child or spouse or a brother or a lover, thank you for making me feel less alone. I think it’s hard to be a public person sometimes, and it’s hard for the children of those public people. But, you know, it is what it is in the culture today. And here we are.”

Chelsea O’Donnell, 27, has recently faced serious legal issues. She was booked into Marinette County jail on September 10, with court records revealing charges of maintaining a “drug trafficking place,” child neglect, domestic abuse, and possession of methamphetamine, THC, drug paraphernalia, and an illegally obtained prescription. After posting a $2,000 bond on September 24, she was later booked into Oconto County Jail on October 11, where she remains incarcerated. In this case, Chelsea faces additional charges of bail jumping, resisting or obstructing an officer, and possession of methamphetamine and narcotic drugs. She has yet to enter a plea for either case and is scheduled to appear in court in Marinette County on November 4 and in Oconto County on November 7.

Rosie O’Donnell also shared a somber update regarding Chelsea’s long-standing struggles with addiction, stating, “Sadly, this is not new for our family—Chelsea has struggled with drug addiction for a decade. We (are) all hopeful she will find her way out of this deadly disease.”

The complexities of Chelsea’s life have been well-documented; she made headlines in 2015 when she ran away from her New York home, only to be found a week later in New Jersey. In her late teens, she moved in with her biological mother in Wisconsin. As of now, Chelsea is a mother of four children, with her youngest born last fall.

O’Donnell’s candid remarks reflect the difficult reality of family dynamics affected by addiction, highlighting the importance of community support during such trying times. The challenges facing Chelsea O’Donnell continue to be a source of concern for Rosie O’Donnell and her family as they navigate this ongoing struggle.