Daniel Curtis Lee says his try to assist fellow former baby actor Tylor Chase led to chaos after the ex-Nickelodeon star allegedly trashed a motel room his kind-hearted colleague paid for throughout a quick intervention in California.
Lee, who performed “Cookie” on “Ned’s Declassified College Survival Information,” mentioned he drove from Los Angeles to Riverside after a viral TikTok video confirmed Chase homeless and residing on the road.
The clip, which was initially posted on-line in September, confirmed a visibly raveled Chase confirming his identification and acknowledging his previous position on the Nickelodeon collection.
The video sparked widespread concern and prompted followers to launch a GoFundMe marketing campaign, which ultimately raised $1,200 earlier than it was shut down by Chase’s mom — who warned that giving her son money would worsen his struggles with psychological sickness and substance abuse.
The funds have been as an alternative used to purchase meals, clothes and different necessities, in accordance with the TikToker who launched the GoFundMe.
Lee mentioned he reached out straight, purchased Chase a meal and paid for a motel room so he may get out of an approaching storm.
Inside hours, Lee mentioned, motel workers contacted him with alarming information.
In line with Lee, the room had been severely broken. He mentioned the door was left vast open, the fridge was flipped the wrong way up, and the microwave had been positioned within the bathtub.
Lee later shared the aftermath publicly, saying the expertise was devastating however not totally sudden. He mentioned Chase’s household had warned him about related incidents previously.
The actor mentioned the episode underscored how troublesome it’s to assist somebody coping with extreme psychiatric sickness and habit with out long-term skilled care.
Different former baby stars additionally tried to step in. Shaun Weiss, greatest identified for taking part in goalie Greg Goldberg in Disney’s “The Mighty Geese,” supplied Chase a mattress at a detox facility and a path towards long-term therapy, drawing on his personal restoration from habit.
Chase has to date declined to take Weiss up on his supply, in accordance with reviews.
Chase’s father, Joseph Mendez Jr, has mentioned his son has battled critical psychological well being points for greater than a decade, together with schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction, compounded by substance abuse.
Native authorities have confirmed that outreach groups encounter Chase commonly and have repeatedly supplied shelter, psychological well being providers and drug therapy — all of which he has declined.
Lee mentioned the motel incident made clear that good intentions aren’t sufficient.
As of late December, Chase stays homeless in Southern California and continues to refuse sustained therapy, leaving these attempting to assist him with few choices and little readability on what comes subsequent.
