Drake Bell, former Nickelodeon star, is under surveillance for child endangerment

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An Ohio judge sentenced former Nickelodeon TV star Drake Bell on Monday to two years in prison for child endangerment after a victim who met him online and attended one of his concerts accused the actor of “taking care of her” since she was 12.

Bell was also sentenced in Cuyahoga County General Court of Appeals by Judge Timothy McCormick to 200 hours of community service, no contact with the victim, and California officials evaluating his sex offender report.

The sentencing hearing began with the female victim’s statement.

“The pain the defendant caused me is indescribable, and it is getting worse every day,” said the woman, now 19. “Being someone who meant the world to me has made me feel more pain than I did before.”

In her statement on Monday, the woman accused the actress of “grooming” her since she was 12, sending videotapes of her and engaging in sexual behavior in two separate incidents – which Bell’s lawyer denied.

“My life isn’t the same since I was 15. I think about these crimes every day. I feel like I’m in a permanent dark place. Sometimes I wish I could just disappear so I can forget what happened.”

She concluded, “Jared Drake Bell is a pedophile, and that’s his legacy.”

Bell, whose real name is Jared, pleaded guilty via Zoom to a felony attempt to endanger children and a misdemeanor charge of posting material harmful to events in June. The 35-year-old actor initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but made clear his decision to accept the plea deal during Monday’s sentencing hearing.

Today I accept this petition because my behavior was wrong. “I am sorry that the victim was harmed in any way – it was clearly not my intention,” Bell said in a brief statement. “I took this very seriously, and again, I just want to apologize to her and anyone else who may have been affected by my actions.”

Ian Friedman, Bell’s attorney, told NBC News in a statement Monday that his guilty plea and sentencing “reflect the behavior for which Mr. Bell has accepted responsibility.”

“The victim’s allegations, which went beyond what had been agreed upon by all parties, not only lack supporting evidence, but contradict the facts obtained through an extensive investigation,” he said. “As the court made clear, this petition was not about sexual misconduct or sexual relations with any person, let alone a minor.”

A 15-year-old girl from Canada filed a report at the police department at her home describing an incident between her and Bill in Cleveland in December 2017, according to the Cuyahoga County District Attorney’s Office.

After investigation, Cleveland police determined that the teen “had an affair with Bill several years ago.” [and] He attended his concert in December 2017.”

“While there, Bell violated his duty of care, thereby creating a risk of harm to the victim,” the Cuyahoga County District Attorney’s office said. Investigators also said Bell sent the teen “inappropriate messages on social media”.

Bell, who is also a singer, was the star of “Drake and Josh,” a Nickelodeon TV show about teenage siblings that debuted in January 2004.

Last August, the actor was accused of dating abuse by musician Jimmy Ono in a TikTok video.

Bell denied the allegations of abuse and said that as his relationship with Ono ended, they “called each other terrible names, as often happens when couples break up.”

Wilson Wong is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

Diana Dasrat contributed.

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