Drake Bell Addresses Child Endangerment Charges, Says He Was ‘Reckless and Irresponsible’

Two months after he was sentenced to two years of probation following his guilty plea to child endangerment charges, Drake Bell has addressed the public regarding his actions.

The 35-year-old actor, known for his role on the Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh, took to Instagram on Friday to tell fans that he owes them “an explanation.”

“Most of the news you’ve heard recently is entirely false and wrong,” Bell said in an IG video. “I feel that you deserve, and I owe you, an explanation.”

He continued, “I know that this has moved very quickly for you, but for me, it’s been a three-year, through investigation into every false claim that has been made. And, it’s not me telling you that the claims are false, but the state of Ohio has proven the claims to be false. If these claims were remotely true, my situation would be very different. I would not be here at home with my wife and with my son. But that being said, I am not perfect, and I make mistakes.”