Rosie O’Donnell asks for ‘prayers’ after daughter Chelsea, 28, is sentenced to prison
O’Donnell’s oldest daughter’s mugshot following her first arrest in September 2024.Marinette County Sheriff’s Office
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Rosie O’Donnell is turning to her fans for support during a difficult time.
The 63-year-old comedian took to social media this week to ask for prayers after her oldest daughter, Chelsea, was sentenced to prison following a probation violation tied to drug charges.
“My child Chelsea Belle – before addiction took over her life – I loved her then, I love her now as she faces a scary future,” O’Donnell wrote on Instagram Wednesday, sharing a childhood photo of Chelsea. “Prayers welcomed,” she added, along with hashtags promoting addiction awareness, love, and family.
Chelsea was adopted by O’Donnell and her then-partner, Kelli Carpenter, shortly after her birth in 1997.
O’Donnell and her daughter, Chelsea, at the opening night performance of the Broadway musical “American Idiot” in New York City on April 20, 2010.
Chelsea O’Donnell’s mugshot shortly after her third arrest in Wisconsin in November 2024.Marinette County Jail
Rosie O’Donnell discussing her time on “The View” during a recent TikTok video.Ricki-Lee & Tim Joel/TikTok
Last year, Chelsea faced multiple legal troubles in Wisconsin. Between September and December, she was arrested three times. Her first arrest on September 10 included felony charges of child neglect and possession of methamphetamine. After posting bail, Chelsea was arrested again on charges including bail jumping, resisting or obstructing an officer, and possession of methamphetamine. A third arrest followed in November on similar charges.
Following these arrests, O’Donnell shared on Instagram: “After being bailed out by her birth mother – Chelsea was arrested again – and is facing many charges related to her drug addiction. We all hope she is able to get the help she needs to turn her life around.”
In February 2024, Chelsea pleaded guilty to three felony counts of resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping, and possession of methamphetamine. She was sentenced to six years of probation on March 31, with conditions including maintaining sobriety, avoiding alcohol or other controlled substances without a prescription, staying away from drug users or sellers, and refraining from possessing firearms.
Chelsea, Vivienne and Rosie O’Donnell on the SS Hornblower Infinity in New York City on June 20, 2016.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
A photo of O’Donnell’s oldest daughter before she succumbed to drug addiction.Rosie O’Donnell/Twitter
Chelsea and Rosie O’Donnell in a photo together from 2016.rosie/Instagram
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O’Donnell backstage before a comedy show at the International Comedy Club in Dublin, Ireland, on May 21, 2025.@rosie/Instagram
O’Donnell during an episode of the “No Filter with Kate Langbroek” podcast released Sept. 9, 2025.No Filter/YouTube
However, her probation was later revoked, and she was sentenced to prison on October 22, according to People.
O’Donnell addressed the situation in a statement, saying, “I have compassion for those struggling with addiction. Chelsea was born into addiction, and it has been a painful journey for her and her four young children. We continue to love and support her through these horrible times. Prayers welcomed.”
Chelsea is a mother of four. She shares three daughters—Skylar, Riley, and Avery Lynn—with ex-boyfriend Jacob Bourassa and recently welcomed a son, Atlas, with her current partner, Jacob Nelund, in October 2023.
O’Donnell herself is a mother to Chelsea and four other children: Parker, 30; Blake, 25; Vivienne, 22; and Clay, 12. The comedian, who left the U.S. for Ireland earlier this year, recently made headlines for applying for Irish citizenship.
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