Warning: This article contains discussion of addiction and homelessness which some readers may find distressing
Police have given a concerning update on Tylor Chase after he was previously hospitalised.
The former Nickelodeon star recently went viral after footage of him on the streets of California was taken. Since then, actors and influencers have been trying to help him as concerns were raised for his health and condition.
The Riverside Police Department said they were unsure how long Chase 'has been experiencing homelessness', but added that he had declined offers to help him find housing.
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And it’s also said he had turned down access to mental health support services as well as addiction treatment. Since then, the Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide actor has been hospitalised and has since been released.
Actor Shaun Weiss had been sharing updates on Chase’s condition as he’s been attempting to help his fellow child star.
He has explained to TMZ that despite a mental health crisis team deeming the star to be in need of assistance, ‘they let him out without contacting any of us’ as he claimed he had ‘arranged’ a detox facility for Chase to go to after being hospitalised.
However, Weiss explained that despite what they may be doing to help him, the actor needs to ‘want to go to treatment’.
“All the resources are available toto him. It's very frustrating because there is no system in place to help people like this,” he said on Instagram. "Our only option now is to what, watch him wither away on the street?”
And the Riverside Police Department have echoed this sentiment in a statement to TMZ, as it’s explained there’s nothing the force can do to help due to laws in California.
A spokesperson explained that Chase is ‘desperately in need of long-term care’, however, the penal laws ‘prevent cops from forcing Tylor into a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility’.
They added that police can’t help Chase legally ‘because he’s not considered gravely disabled or a danger to himself and others’.
It’s also said that the actor ‘politely declines all efforts by the authorities to get him off the streets and into a facility’.
The spokesperson said police are doing everything they can ‘within the laws’ but have no leverage as they added: “We can’t kidnap him.”
Weiss also issued a plea to people, saying that going up to Chase for a selfie and giving him money is ‘working against us’.
“So please, if you could refrain from doing that...it's not helping. He needs a little space right now. Honestly, we don't know what to do,” he added.
LADbible Group has contacted the County of Riverside for comment.
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.
Additionally, 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
Jess Battison