Riverside, calif. – Former Nickelodeon star Tylor Chase, 36, was found and is now receiving care after struggling with addiction and mental health disorders, a story that unfolded publicly over recent months and prompted an outpouring of support from fans and former colleagues.
A Community Rallies Around a Former Child Star
It took three months of coordinated effort to locate and get Chase into a detoxification center.
- Images shared on social media in September first alerted the public to Chase’s dire situation.
- Actor Shaun Weiss, who has publicly battled his own addiction, played a key role in locating Chase.
- Chase’s father revealed his son has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- Despite repeated offers of help from police and concerned citizens, Chase had previously refused assistance.
Chase rose to prominence in the early 2000s for his role as Martin Qwerly in the Nickelodeon series “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.” The actor’s struggles became widely known when videos surfaced online last September showing him in distress on the streets of Riverside, near Los Angeles. This prompted a wave of concern and a grassroots effort to find him.
According to reports, Shaun Weiss, known for his role in the Disney film “The Little Giants” and his own journey with addiction, spearheaded the search for Chase. weiss collaborated with Chase’s family, including his father, Joseph Mendez Jr., to locate the former actor. Ultimately, it was Jacob Harris, a hair salon owner in riverside, who found Chase on December 25 and contacted emergency services.
Weiss announced on social media, “I contacted friends and we found a bed for him in a rehab center, and also a place where he can undergo long-term treatment.” Chase was initially hospitalized for 72 hours of observation before being admitted to detoxification.
A Christmas Eve attempt at Help
Prior to Weiss’s intervention, Daniel Curtis Lee, who played “Cookie” in “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide,” attempted to assist Chase. Lee treated Chase to pizza and booked a hotel room for him on Christmas Eve, hoping to provide a safe haven. however, hotel management contacted Lee hours later to report that Chase had damaged the room before leaving.
Law enforcement officials in California stated that Chase had repeatedly declined offers of shelter and support to address his addiction and mental health challenges. A GoFundMe campaign launched by concerned individuals raised nearly 1000 euros, but chase’s mother requested the funds be used to purchase clothing and food for him, citing his inability to manage money.
Chase’s father shared with reporters that his son has been battling bipolar disorder and schizophrenia for over a decade. “For more than ten years, the family has been looking for solutions to treat him, particularly for his substance abuse problems and his mental health,” he explained. “He must be willing to accept help.” Chase had previously attempted treatment in 2021 but relapsed after returning to California to be closer to his mother.
