We previously reported that Rosie O’Donnell was begging for prayers after her troubled daughter Chelsea was sentenced to prison. This came after she violated her probation in her drug case. Now, it’s been confirmed that Chelsea has officially begun her prison sentence.
Chelsea Reports To Prison
US Weekly has obtained Chelsea’s mugshot that was taken after she entered the Taycheedah Correctional Institution (TCI) in Wisconsin on November 18. The publication describes Chelsea, 28, as looking “stoic” in the photo.
Check it out for yourself in the upper left corner below.
What Chelsea Can Expect At TCI
According to the TCI prison’s official website, it is an all-female facility that is both a maximum- and medium-security facility. The average age of inmates is 38, with the youngest being 18 and the oldest being 82. The racial breakdown of inmates is as follows: 62 percent white inmates, 26 percent Black, 12 percent American Indian, 11 percent Hispanic and others.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, 52 percent of the inmates are in for violent offenses. Chelsea is among the 21 percent of inmates that are incarcerated at TCI for drug offenses. Property offenses make up for 16 percent of the inmates, with the remaining 11 percent of inmates being incarcerated for unspecified other offenses.
While at TCI, Chelsea will have access to parenting programs, recreation classes, trauma treatment, religious studies, GED classes, welding classes, a cosmetology program and other educational opportunities.
During her time at TCI, Chelsea will be allowed to have approved visitors. Anyone who wants to visit her must fill out paperwork with the facility. It is unlikely that Chelsea’s mother will be among these visitors, however, as Rosie has fled the country and moved to Ireland in response to Donald Trump’s second presidential victory. Rosie took Chelsea’s younger 12 year-old sibling with her.
As you can tell from the video below, things aren’t going so well for them both across the pond…
Rosie Remains In Ireland Despite Chelsea’s Arrest
Despite this, instead of returning to America to assist her troubled older daughter, Rosie has been sending brief public messages of support from abroad.
“I have compassion for those struggling with addiction,” Rosie publicly stated back in October. “Chelsea was born into addiction and it has been a painful journey for her and her children. We continue to love and support her through these horrible times. Prayers welcomed. ”
Last month, an insider close to Rosie claimed that the 63 year-old comedian feels that she’s done “everything” she could for Chelsea.
“She’s tried everything,” alleged one longtime confidant of Rosie’s. “Years of rehab bills, interventions, tough love. Rosie’s drained.”
Others in Rosie’s life, however, aren’t having any of this. At least two friends of hers believe that Rosie should have flown back from Ireland as soon as Chelsea was arrested. It’s not like Rosie can’t afford to do this, given her estimated $80 million net worth.
“Most parents would be camped outside the prison gate,” a Hollywood veteran bluntly stated.
Another friend of Rosie’s feels the same way. Indeed, this friend believes that begging for prayers on Instagram simply isn’t enough.
“Instagram emojis don’t hug you on intake day,” the friend scoffed. “Chelsea doesn’t need likes. She needs her mother.”
Chelsea’s History
Chelsea was adopted by Rosie and her ex-wife Kelli Carpenter when she was a baby. Between September and December 2024, Chelsea was arrested three times in Wisconsin. In the first of these arrests, Chelsea was hit with multiple felony charges. These included neglecting a child and possession of methamphetamine. Subsequent arrests included additional charges like bail jumping and resisting or obstructing an officer, along with more drug charges.
In February of this year, Chelsea pled guilty to resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine.
One month later, Chelsea was sentenced to six years of probation, two years for each of the three guilty counts. Conditions of her probation include absolute sobriety. She also must have no possession of alcohol or another controlled substance without a valid prescription. On top of that, Chelsea could have no contact with any known drug users or sellers and no possession or ownership of any firearm.
Chelsea Violates Her Probation
Chelsea was told that if she ever violated her probation, she would be facing prison time. An official with the drug treatment court told US Weekly in October that Chelsea was in violation due to sexual assault allegations. This official also alleged that Chelsea had not shown enough progress in her drug treatment program.
Chelsea is the mother of four children ranging in the ages 2-6. She is also one of Rosie’s five children, all of whom were adopted.
It’s clear that Chelsea is a young woman who is battling quite a few demons. She certainly could use the support of her mother right now. Only time will tell if Rosie ever decides it’s worth her time and money to return to America from Ireland to help her daughter when she needs her most!