Charges Dropped Against Man Found With Rosie O'Donnell's Daughter

TOMS RIVER, NJ – It was headline news back in 2015 when a Barnegat man was charged with endangering the welfare of Rosie O'Donnell's daughter, after he let her stay in his Village Drive home when her mother reported her missing.

Three years have passed. Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, confirmed that the charges against Steven M. Sheerer, which also included distribution of obscenity, have been dropped.

Sheerer, now 28, could have faced more than five years in state prison if convicted of both charges.

Chelsea O'Donnell met Steve Sheerer through the online dating app Tinder. She was found at his Village Drive house with Sheerer in the attic with her therapy dog, Bear, Barnegat police said then.

Sheerer’s attorney, Robert L. Tarver, told app.com he was unaware the case had been thrown out. He later confirmed it.

"My thought is, it was probably dismissed in the interests of justice because there were some very difficult proof problems in the case," he said.

Chelsea O’Donnell admitted in September 2015 that she misrepresented her age on Tinder and Facebook, and to Sheerer.

“Years have gone by,’’ Tarver said. “Rosie has chilled. My guy has nothing to do with this girl, and she (Chelsea O’Donnell) is not going to cooperate. She’s moved on. Everybody’s moved on.’’

He said he didn't think Chelsea O’Donnell who was adopted as an infant longer has anything to do with Rosie O’Donnell.

To read the app.com story, click here.

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