Comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell has publicly shared her heartbreak after her 28-year-old daughter, Chelsea, was sentenced to state prison. The news comes after Chelsea violated the terms of her probation, which was initially granted following a series of felony arrests. O’Donnell turned to social media to express her unconditional support for her daughter during this difficult time.
Chelsea’s legal troubles began last year with multiple arrests in Wisconsin. The charges included serious offenses such as neglecting a child, possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer, and felony bail jumping. In March of this year, she pleaded guilty to several of these charges and was sentenced to six years of probation. The court had warned her that any violation would result in prison time.
Rosie O’Donnell asks for ‘prayers’ after daughter Chelsea, 28, is sentenced to prison https://t.co/3qq0BwEvM8 pic.twitter.com/p5CsHs5Bda
— New York Post (@nypost) October 29, 2025
That violation occurred, leading a judge to revoke her probation on October 22. While the specific details of the violation have not been fully disclosed, reports indicate it was related to new allegations and a failure to meet the requirements of a court-mandated drug treatment program. Chelsea is currently awaiting transfer from a county jail to a state prison facility.
In response, Rosie O’Donnell posted a childhood photo of Chelsea on Instagram, captioning it with a message of enduring love. She wrote that she loved her daughter “before addiction took over her life” and continues to love her now as she faces a “scary future.” In a separate statement, O’Donnell expressed compassion for those struggling with addiction, noting that Chelsea’s journey has been painful for her and her four young children.
