Rosie O’Donnell’s eldest daughter, Chelsea Belle O’Donnell, has been arrested on multiple charges, including child neglect and drug possession, marking another chapter in the family’s public struggles.
According to Rosie’s representative, “Sadly, this is not new for our family – Chelsea has struggled with drug addiction for a decade.” When asked about Rosie’s current relationship with her daughter, the representative did not elaborate but extended well-wishes, saying, “We are all hopeful she will find her way out of this deadly disease.”
Rosie herself took to Instagram, sharing a heartfelt photo of Chelsea and her child, captioning it, “Chelsea is in the news today – this is a photo from a better time.”
Facing Serious Charges
Court documents indicate that Chelsea, 27, is facing several felony charges. These include possession of methamphetamine, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, bail jumping, and resisting or obstructing an officer. The arrest took place on October 14.
Additionally, charges filed earlier on September 17 included felony counts for maintaining a drug trafficking place, child neglect, drug possession (including THC and illegally obtained prescriptions), disorderly conduct, and domestic abuse. The case is being handled in the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Chelsea is expected to appear in court on November 7 to address these charges.
A Troubled Past and a Complex Relationship
Chelsea, who welcomed a son, Atlas, in October 2023, as well as three other children—Avery Lynn, Riley, and Skylar Rose—has previously been estranged from her famous mother. Their rocky relationship has made headlines over the years. In 2018, Rosie openly discussed their issues on “The Talk.”
“I think with my relationship with my daughter, Chelsea, (the relationship being tested did make it stronger) because we went through some really public troubled times,” Rosie explained, as reported by People. “She’s doing better now and we’re both communicating with each other. When somebody does something unforgivable to you and you can forgive them and they can forgive you, there’s a kind of grace that descends upon the both of you, within that.”
Estrangement and Attempts at Reconciliation
Despite moments of reconciliation, Rosie and Chelsea’s relationship has had its share of challenges. In 2017, Rosie accused her then-estranged adoptive daughter of capitalizing on the suicide of her ex-wife, Michelle Rounds. Chelsea is Rosie’s adopted daughter with her ex-wife, Kelli Carpenter.
In an interview that same year, Chelsea discussed her troubled upbringing and estrangement from her mother.
“Growing up, I never really got along with her and then once she kicked me out, I was just kind of done,” Chelsea stated.
In 2015, Chelsea made headlines when Rosie reported her missing from their New York home. She was eventually found and later moved to Wisconsin to live with her birth mother, Deanna Micoley.
Family in the Spotlight
Actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell has four other children—Parker, Blake, Vivienne, and Dakota—whom she welcomed since 1995. Chelsea’s recent arrest underscores the ongoing struggles that have shaped the public’s perception of the O’Donnell family.
The legal proceedings, set for early November, will likely bring more attention to this troubled mother-daughter relationship as they navigate their struggles in the public eye.
