Man faces obscenity charge after O'Donnell's daughter found
BARNEGAT, N.J. — The man whose home comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s missing daughter was found in earlier this week has been arrested and charged with distributing obscenity to a minor.
Steven M. Sheerer, 25, was arrested at 8:30 p.m. Friday at his home in Barnegat, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.
Coronato said inappropriate communications with a 17-year-old girl over the last several weeks led to Sheerer’s arrest Friday on obscenity charges as well as child endangerment charges.
Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office, said he could not say whether the victim in the case is Chelsea O’Donnell, citing a state law that protects the identity of minor victims.
But Rosie O’Donnell posted news of Sheerer’s arrest on her Twitter account Saturday.
And a spokeswoman for O’Donnell said the case involves the star’s daughter, Chelsea, The Associated Press reported.
“He was involved with a minor, and Rosie’s concern has been and always will be the health, safety and well-being of her daughter,” Cindi Berger told The Associated Press. “Rosie is profoundly appreciative for the work the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has done and the diligence of the local police.”
Chelsea O’Donnell was found in Sheerer’s home Tuesday evening after being missing since Aug. 11.
She was discovered safe in the attic of the home with her therapy dog, Bear, after Barnegat police received information she might be in the township.
Barnegat police Lt. Keith Germain confirmed that Chelsea O’Donnell and Sheerer had met through Tinder, an online dating service.
The prosecutor’s news release about Sheerer’s arrest said detectives received permission from the victim’s mother to retrieve the 17-year-old’s phone, which revealed inappropriate communications between Sheerer and the minor over the past several weeks.
Detectives later seized a computer and other digital equipment from Sheerer’s home. The seized items will be examined as part of a continuing investigation, authorities said.
Sheerer is being held in the Ocean County Jail, with bail set at $40,000. A judge ordered that he have no contact with the victim or her family, should he post bail.
Sheerer would face up to five years in prison on each charge if convicted.