Drake Bell has been found safe after actor was reported missing

Drake & Josh star Drake Bell has been found safe after being reported missing and endangered by Florida police today (13 April).

Best known for his stint on the Nickelodeon sitcom, the news comes just a matter of hours after authorities declared him missing.

Associated Press/Alamy Stock Photo

Daytona Police previously released a statement confirming that the former child star - real name Jared Bell - was nowhere to be found, saying: "He is considered missing and endangered.”

The alert, which was posted to Facebook, read: "Officers are looking for Jared Bell.

"He should be travelling in a 2022 grey BMW."

Before finally being found, Bell's last known location was 'potentially the area of Mainland High School' at 9pm EST.

In a follow-up comment, the police department added: "For those asking, this is a legitimate post from the Daytona Beach Police Department. If you have any information, please contact Detective Jayson Wallace."

Anyone with any information about his whereabouts was instructed to contact the Daytona Beach police on (386) 671-520.

Facebook/Daytona Beach Police Department

Since then, the Daytona Beach Police Department has confirmed that Bell is alive and safe after updating its missing persons report on the actor.

The official statement reads: "At this time, we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact and Mr Bell is safe."

It is not yet been officially confirmed where Bell was found or why police officers believed he was 'endangered' in the first place just a few hours ago.

And this isn't the first time Bell has had a run-in with the police.

In recent years, the former child star had a whole number of run-ins with the law.

The 36-year-old only just completed his probation over an alleged child-endangerment case that he pleaded guilty to.

He was accused of inappropriate conduct with a person under the age of 18 in a club that he was attending to perform and had

allegedly started up an online relationship with the minor before the incident.

Nickelodeon

Bell was sentenced to two years of probation for the felony attempted child endangerment charges, as well as a misdemeanour charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

He admitted the charges two years ago back in July 2021, stating: "I accept this plea because my conduct was wrong."

Alongside the probation sentence, Bell was also sentenced to 20 hours of unpaid community service and was forbidden to have any further contact with the victim.