NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Man in O’Donnell case faces obscenity charge

TOMS RIVER, N.J.

The owner of the home where Rosie O’Donnell’s missing teen daughter was found last week has been arrested on allegations of having inappropriate online communications with the 17-year-old girl, according to authorities and the star’s spokeswoman.

Steven Sheerer faces charges of child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor, authorities said Saturday.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office declined to identify the victim, citing her age. But a spokeswoman for O’Donnell said the case involves the star’s daughter Chelsea.

“He was involved with a minor, and Rosie’s concern has been and always will be the health, safety and well-being of her daughter,” Cindi Berger told The Associated Press. “Rosie is profoundly appreciative for the work the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has done and the diligence of the local police.”

Sheerer, 25, was arrested Friday night at his home in Barnegat, police said. Chelsea O’Donnell had been found at the home Tuesday, hours after her mother posted a statement online saying the girl had left home Aug. 11.

Authorities have said police went to the home, and the person answering the door initially did not want to reveal Chelsea’s presence. Police said they told the occupant they would not leave until she came out; she then appeared and willingly left with police.

Sheerer’s arrest came several hours after authorities had obtained the girl’s cellphone with her mother’s consent, prosecutors said. They reportedly found “inappropriate communications” that had occurred over the past several weeks between Sheerer and the minor.

Authorities seized a computer and other digital equipment at Sheerer’s home when they executed a search warrant, but they did not disclose further details.

It was not known Saturday if Sheerer had retained an attorney. His bail was set at $40,000 cash, and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted, authorities said.

Racy fan photos spur security for wax figure

LAS VEGAS

A wax figure of rapper Nicki Minaj at a Las Vegas museum is getting more security to keep away inappropriate visitors.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas said in a statement Friday that employees will closely monitor the figure after images of visitors in sexual poses with the statue began appearing on social media.

The set around the statue also will undergo a redesign so similar pictures can’t be taken. The statue depicts Minaj in a pose from her “Anaconda” music video.

Minaj has not commented, but she recently shared Instagram photos of fans posing suggestively with the figure.

Associated Press