The New Jersey man in whose home Rosie O'Donnell's 17-year-old daughter was found hiding has been arrested on child endangerment charges.

Steven M. Sheerer
Steven M. Sheerer (Ocean County Jail)
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Steven M. Sheerer, 25, of Barnegat is being held on $40,000 bail at the Ocean County Jail after police examined the cell phone of a 17-year-old victim and discovered "evidence of inappropriate communications over the last several weeks between Sheerer and the minor" according to Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave. He didn't say whether the alleged victim was O'Donnell's daughter or otherwise identify her. But a spokeswoman for O'Donnell said the case involves the star's daughter, Chelsea.

"He was involved with a minor, and Rosie's concern has been and always will be the health, safety and well-being of her daughter," Cindi Berger told The Associated Press. "Rosie is profoundly appreciative for the work the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has done and the diligence of the local police."

Police also removed a computer and other digital equipment from Sheerer's Village Drive home following a search.

Sheerer is charged with third-degree distribution of obscenity to a minor and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted each charge carries a penalty of five years in New Jersey State Prison. The court also invoked "Nicole's Law," which forbids Sheerer from having any contact with the victim or her family.

News of Chelsea O'Donnell disappearance from her Rockland County, N.Y home was made public in a tweet by Rosie O'Donnell on Wednesday after she had been gone for over a week. Several hours, later Chelsea was found at Sheerer's home in good condition by Barnegat Police. Rosie O'Donnell picked her daughter up at the Barnegat police station that night and returned home, authorities have said.

The Asbury Park Press reported Sheerer and Chelsea O'Donnell met via the dating app Tinder.

Rosie O'Donnell the next day tweeted re-tweered a Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch story from 2012 recounting Sheerer's arrest in 2012 on drug charges and actual charges of third-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and third-degree possession of heroin without naming hom.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crime Unit, along with the Barnegat and Long Beach Police Departments, continue their investigation into the case.

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