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Drake Bell Pleads Guilty To Endangering Children Charge

Drake Bell Pleads Guilty To Endangering Children Charge

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and a charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Actor Drake Bell has pleaded guilty to charges related to endangering children.

The Drake & Josh star pleaded guilty via Zoom to attempted child endangerment and a further misdemeanor charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

PA

The charges relate to a girl who met him online and attended one of his concerts in Cleveland in 2017, when she was 15.

The 34-year-old, from West Hollywood, California, is now due to be sentenced on 12 July in Cleveland.

The plea comes after Bell said he was not guilty to the charges earlier this month. Bell's attorney Ian Friedman said that he could not comment on the case but said it will be revealed at sentencing 'why Mr. Bell chose to enter today's plea.'

PA

Tyler Sinclair, a spokesperson for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, said at the time that the girl contacted Toronto police in October 2018. Toronto authorities then contacted Cleveland police, prompting an investigation.

According to AP, the attempted endangering children charge relates to the concert where Bell 'violated his duty of care' and created a risk of harm to the victim. Sinclair didn't elaborate further.

Bell and the girl had 'developed a relationship' online several years prior to the concert, Sinclair said. The disseminating harmful material charge concerns Bell having sent the girl 'inappropriate social media messages' Sinclair said.

According to reports, the sentencing range is probation to two years in prison. The girl, who is now an adult, will be allowed to give a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing.

Featured Image Credit: Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office

Topics: Celebrity, News