Steven Sheerer Arrested After Rosie O'Donnell's Daughter Chelsea, 17, Was Found at His Home

He was detained on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and distribution of obscenity to a minor

Steven Sheerer, who occupied a home where Rosie O'Donnell's missing 17-year-old daughter Chelsea O'Donnell was found earlier this week, has been arrested.

The office of New Jersey's Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced in a statement on Saturday that the 25-year-old man was detained at his residence on Friday on charges of third degree endangering the welfare of a child and third degree distribution of obscenity to a minor. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in state prison. Sheerer has not commented.

The statement said police "retrieved the 17-year-old victim's cell phone with consent from the victim's mother" and that the device contained "evidence of inappropriate communications over the last several weeks between Sheerer and the minor."

"Rosie's concern has been and always will be the health, safety and well-being of her daughter," Rosie's rep said in a statement on Saturday. "Rosie is profoundly appreciative for the work the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has done and the diligence of the local police."

The prosecutor's office statement said a search warrant of Sheerer's home was issued and authorities seized a computer and other digital equipment as part of the continuing investigation. Authorities have not revealed what was found on them. Meanwhile, Sheerer is being held in a jail on a $40,000 bond and is prohibited from contacting Chelsea or her family.

The actress and comedienne's daughter was reported missing last week and found days later on Tuesday at Sheerer's home, after which she reunited with her mother. A police spokesperson had told E! News at the time that it appeared Chelsea was there voluntarily.

Police had also have confirmed to E! News that Sheerer had been arrested on multiple offenses since 2012, including driving while intoxicated, heroin possession and disorderly conduct. There was no evidence of drug use or illegal substances present at the time Chelsea was found.

—Reporting by Holly Passalaqua

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