Chelsea O’Donnell, the 28-year-old daughter of entertainer Rosie O’Donnell, has been sentenced to prison after violating the terms of her probation. The sentencing, which occurred on October 22, marks a significant legal development in a case that has involved multiple drug-related charges and a previous opportunity for rehabilitation through a court-supervised treatment program.
The case history shows that Chelsea pleaded guilty in February to charges of resisting an officer, felony bail jumping, and possession of methamphetamine. These charges were the result of several arrests that took place between September and December of the previous year. In a ruling on March 31, the court opted for a rehabilitative approach, sentencing her to six years of probation under the condition that she maintain sobriety and comply with all requirements of the Marinette County Treatment Drug Court Program.
That probation has now been formally revoked. According to officials familiar with the drug court program, Chelsea was failing to make significant progress and was accused of violating the terms of her agreement. A court filing confirmed that the drug court team deemed the violations sufficient grounds for termination from the program, which directly triggered the review of her probation status and led to the prison sentence.
Following the sentencing, Rosie O’Donnell issued a public statement of support for her daughter. She shared a statement expressing compassion for those struggling with addiction and acknowledging the painful journey for Chelsea and her four young children. On her Instagram platform, O’Donnell posted a childhood photo of Chelsea, writing that she continues to love and support her and explicitly asking her followers for their prayers during this challenging time.
While the specific length of the prison term has not been released to the public, confirmation of the sentencing came from the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office. Records indicate that Chelsea O’Donnell, who has been in custody since September 9, has been transferred to the Taycheedah Correctional Institution, a medium-security state prison in Wisconsin, to begin serving her sentence.
