u.s. & world

Prosecutor: New Jersey man sent nude pic to Rosie O'Donnell's daughter

Monday, August 24, 2015

TOMS RIVER -- The owner of a home where Rosie O'Donnell's teenage daughter was found last week sent the girl a nude photo, prosecutors said Monday.

Steven Sheerer, 25, is accused of having inappropriate online communications with 17-year-old Chelsea O'Donnell. Sheerer, of Barnegat, was scheduled to appear Monday afternoon via video conference in state Superior Court in Toms River.

He faces charges of child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor. Ocean County prosecutors say his bail was set at $40,000 cash, and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

It wasn't clear if Sheerer had an attorney, and a telephone number for him could not be located.

Sheerer was arrested Friday night at his home. Chelsea O'Donnell was found at the home Aug. 18, hours after her mother posted a statement online saying the girl had left home in South Nyack, New York, a week earlier.

Authorities have said police went to the home and the person answering the door initially did not want to reveal Chelsea's presence. Police said they told the occupant they would not leave until she came out; Chelsea then appeared and willingly left with police.

Sheerer's arrest came several hours after authorities obtained the girl's cellphone with her mother's consent, prosecutors said. They found "inappropriate communications" over the last several weeks between Sheerer and Chelsea, prosecutors said.

Authorities seized a computer and other digital equipment at Sheerer's home when they executed a search warrant, but they did not disclose further details.

Court records show Sheerer pleaded guilty to drug offenses in separate cases in 2012 and 2013. In each case, he was sentenced to two years of probation.