Child endangerment charges were brought against Drake Bell last month, where he pleaded guilty, as well as to a misdemeanour charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
Bell has now been sentenced to two years of probation, requiring him to complete 200 hours of community service as per a hearing on July 12th in Cleveland.
The hearing marked the first time his accuser has spoken on the case.
She said, “I chose to write this statement because I want justice to be served more than anything. The only time that the defendant has appeared in court in person was on June 3 for his arraignment, which was before the media found out about the case.”
“He has appeared in court today over Zoom instead of appearing in person. This doesn’t surprise me and shows what a coward he is, but I am not a coward.”
“He was calculating,” she continued. “He preyed on me and sexually abused me. He is a monster and a danger to children.”
“Jared Drake Bell is a pedophile and that is his legacy.”
Before receiving his official sentence, Bell also issued his own statement to the judge. He said, “I accept this plea because my conduct was wrong.”
“I’m sorry that the victim was harmed in any way, but that was obviously not my intention. I have taken this matter very, very seriously. And again, I just want to apologise to her and anyone else who may have been affected by my actions.”
On the judge’s conclusion, they stated, “Your position and celebrity status enabled you to nurture this relationship. You were able to gain access to this child and you were able to gain the trust of the child.”
“So it’s a two-edged sword, your position,” they added. “I hope you truly are remorseful, I don’t know [if you are].”
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