Nickelodeon child star spotted on streets as police issue heartbreaking update
Warning: This article contains discussion of addiction and homelessness which some readers may find distressing
A video of a former child star on the streets of California has started to circulate online, sparking worry amongst fans across the world.
Tylor Chase was once an actor on Nickelodeon, having appeared in a number of film and TV titles in the early to mid-2000s.
While he starred in Everybody Hates Chris and Good Time Max with James Franco, the 36-year-old is best known for playing Martin Qwerly, a smart and chatty middle school student, on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.
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He would appear throughout all three seasons of its run on the children's TV network as the recurring character and while he took to YouTube and performed live poetry about his mental health in the years following, he largely stayed out of the public limelight.
But back in September, videos of the former actor looking unwell while roaming the streets of Riverside, California, went viral on TikTok.
Authorities in Riverside have since stated that they aren't aware of how long the former child star has been in this situation.
Riverside Police Department Public Information Officer Ryan Railsback said to Daily Mail: "We do not know how long he has been experiencing homelessness,
"During all of our interactions, he has been cordial and cooperative with our officers."
Railsback added that officers at the department's Public Safety Engagement Team 'contact him at least once a week and consistently offer a variety of resources, including assistance with temporary shelter options'.
He previously spoke to TMZ, saying that Chase declined shelter, drug or alcohol, treatment, or mental health services which were offered by authorities.
Chase is not wanted for any crimes.
In the video, the woman behind the camera asks Chase if he was on Disney Channel, to which he replied, 'Nickelodeon' on 'Ned's Declassified'.
She acknowledged that he was 'that kid on it', as Chase told her his full name.
His mother has previously publicly stated that her son has been battling bipolar disorder for years, admitting that he turns down professional medical treatment and has struggled with stability.
Despite a GoFundMe campaign being launched, the mum requested it be shut down, stating: "Tylor needs medical attention, not money."
The TikTok user who started the campaign respected her wishes, saying that her words were: "Tylor needs medical attention, not money. But he refuses it. I appreciate your effort.
"But money would not be a benefit to him. I have gotten him several phones, but he loses them within a day or two. He can't manage money for his meds by himself."
Now, Chase himself has spoken to the Daily Mail to share a further update on his situation, in which he claims he isn't homeless and has options available to him.
"It's not really like that, I have friends and family. I stay around here locally. My mom is here," he said. "I have a lot of good people helping me.
"It's not too shabby. A lot of people help out. It goes a long way. I have family and friends, and the housing shelter assistance program. There's graceful charity from the grace of God's family people. That's a pretty chill aspect of it all. It's a true privilege, obviously."
Chase also suggested that he was considering moving back to Georgia, where he would try to get into 'a housing assistance program'.
''I'm not really active homeless at this time, I'm thinking that I would like to go see my dad, relatively shortly, in the state of Georgia,' he said. "I have the whole setup to stay out there, a room out there hopefully... Probably a housing assistance program in Georgia most likely."
Shaun Weiss has since reached out to help Chase, posting a video on social media on Monday (22 December).
“I have received many messages about [Tylor Chase],” Weiss said on Instagram, adding: “I reached out to some friends of mine, and we have a bed for him at a detox, and we have a place for him to go and get long-term treatment.”
He said that 'all we need to do now is find him', saying that he would look for him if he lived in Los Angeles, asking for anyone who spots him to DM him so he 'can get him some help in time for the holiday'.
If you've been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Shelter via their webchat service or on 0808 800 4444. The line is open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
Additiionally, if you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Topics: Mental Health, Celebrity, TV
Joshua Nair