Police in California have publicly addressed growing concern over the welfare of former Nickelodeon child star Tylor Chase, after videos showed the actor living homeless on the streets of Riverside. The 36-year-old, famed for playing Martin Qwerly in Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, appears to be battling severe addiction and mental health issues.
A Descent from Fame to the Streets
Tylor Chase, who also featured in Everybody Hates Chris in 2005, was filmed earlier this month in a distressed state, living rough. The footage, which spread rapidly on social media platforms like TikTok, shocked fans who remembered him from the popular early-2000s series. Chase has previously spoken about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Following intervention from former co-stars and fans, the actor was hospitalised over the Christmas period. However, he was reportedly seen back on the streets just days later. Social media influencer Jake Harris, who has been aiding Chase, stated the actor was placed on a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold and was scheduled for rehab.
Police Cite Systemic Failures and Legal Hurdles
The situation escalated when friend Shaun Weiss, star of The Mighty Ducks, told TMZ that authorities had released Chase without notifying his support network, allegedly after he was "smoking meth during the evaluation." This prompted a backlash, leading the Riverside Police Department to issue a detailed statement.
Police Chief Larry Gonzalez told PEOPLE magazine that the case highlights a widespread crisis. "What we’re seeing play out with Tylor is, unfortunately, something we see every day, not just in Riverside, but across California," he said. Gonzalez explained that despite frequent contact from specialised outreach teams, Chase has so far refused voluntary help.
The chief outlined the legal constraints, noting that arrests for minor drug offences are misdemeanours in California, leading to quick releases due to jail overcrowding orders, without access to treatment. For involuntary mental health holds, strict legal criteria must be met, which Chase has not fulfilled.
A Cycle of Heartbreak and a Call for Change
The police statement emphasised that their Public Safety Engagement Team (PSET) has repeatedly offered services to the former actor. "He has come very close to accepting help, but ultimately that final step must be made by the individual, and at this point he has declined those services," Gonzalez stated.
He described the situation as a "frustrating and heartbreaking cycle" that underscores significant gaps in how society handles intertwined issues of homelessness, addiction, and untreated mental illness. The police response suggests that without changes to legislation and resource allocation, individuals in crisis like Tylor Chase will continue to fall through the cracks.
