Man arrested in disappearance of Rosie O'Donnell's daughter

BARNEGAT, N.J. -- A New Jersey man was arrested Saturday in connection with the weeklong disappearance of Rosie O'Donnell's teenage daughter, reports CBS New York.

Steven Sheerer Handout/Ocean County Prosecutor's Office

According to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, 25-year-old Steven Sheerer was charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree distribution of obscenity to a minor.

Although officials declined to name the victim, citing her age, a spokesperson for O'Donnell said the case involves the star's daughter, Chelsea.

On August 18, the actress-comedian had taken to social media -- pleading for her daughter's return. In a separate blog post, she added that Chelsea was last seen August 11 near the family home in Nyack, New York with her therapy dog.

Chelsea had reportedly not taken needed medication, according to the star's spokesperson, Cindi Berger.

"Chelsea, like millions of people, lives with mental illness. It has been a difficult road for Chelsea and her family and they just want her back safe," Berger said.

Several hours after O'Donnell sent out the tweet, the 17-year-old was found in good condition in New Jersey, according to CBS New York. She had been found at Sheerer's Barnegat home and she willingly left with authorities, officials said.

South Nyack police say Chelsea had been of "sound mind" when she was found.

Evidence of inappropriate communication between Chelsea and Sheerer was later discovered after O'Donnell gave authorities consent to look at the teen's cellphone, according to the station.

The prosecutor's office told reporters that Sheerer's computer and other digital equipment were seized during the execution of a search warrant at his home.

Sheerer is now being held at the Ocean County Jail on $40,000 cash bail, according to the prosecutor's office. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

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