Chelsea O’Donnell Faces Probation Revocation After Allegedly Assaulting Passenger in Wisconsin Vehicle

It’s been another difficult chapter for Chelsea O’Donnell, the 28-year-old daughter of comedian and television personality Rosie O’Donnell.

Court records out of Wisconsin reveal that her probation was revoked last October after authorities accused her of inappropriately touching a male passenger in her vehicle — an allegation she firmly denies.

At the time, Chelsea was already under court supervision tied to prior drug-related and child neglect cases.

What happened during that car ride ultimately set off a chain reaction that landed her back in custody.

What Allegedly Happened in the Car

According to documents reviewed by TMZ, the incident unfolded while Chelsea was driving with a man seated in the back.

The passenger reportedly told officials he did not consent when Chelsea touched his inner thigh.

He said he pushed her hand away once — but authorities claim she then went further and touched his genitals.

Chelsea has pushed back against that version of events.

She told authorities the contact was consensual and denied sexually assaulting the man.

The report also describes a tense atmosphere in the vehicle.

After allegedly being rejected romantically, Chelsea was said to have driven erratically and without proper attention to the road.

That detail became another red flag for probation officials.

The Probation Terms She Was Already Under

This wasn’t happening in isolation.

Chelsea had been sentenced in March 2025 to a six-year probation term after pleading guilty a month earlier to possession of methamphetamine, felony bail jumping and resisting or obstructing an officer.

As part of that “stayed” sentence, she agreed to a list of strict conditions. Among them:

• She had to remain in the Marinette County Treatment Drug Court program.

• She was required to stay drug-free.

• She needed to work toward obtaining her high school diploma or GED.

• And notably, she was ordered to seek approval from supervising officials before entering any new romantic, dating, or sexual relationships.

That final condition became central to the state’s case against her.

Violations Beyond the Allegations

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections said Chelsea admitted she had multiple sexual relationships between July and September 2025 without prior approval.

She also acknowledged communicating with someone on a dating app — something she hadn’t reported.

In total, she reportedly disclosed sexual relationships with four individuals during that period.

To probation authorities, that was a direct breach of the court’s terms.

Combined with the new assault allegation and concerns about her drug court compliance, officials concluded she had failed to meet the requirements of her sentence.

A filing at the time stated that the circumstances were reviewed by the Marinette County Treatment Drug Court Team and deemed sufficient to justify her removal from the program.

US Weekly was told that the revocation stemmed from sexual assault allegations and failure to meet treatment expectations.

A Long Struggle with Addiction

Chelsea’s legal issues have been intertwined with struggles related to substance abuse.

Her guilty pleas earlier in 2025 followed a turbulent period involving narcotics charges and issues connected to child neglect.

Addiction, something her mother has openly discussed, has been described as a central factor in her downward spiral.

For years, the relationship between Chelsea and her adoptive mother has had public ups and downs.

Rosie adopted Chelsea in 1997, and while their bond has at times appeared strained, moments like this show a deeply emotional connection remains.

Rosie Speaks from the Heart

When the probation revocation became public, Rosie O’Donnell took to Instagram with a heartfelt message.

“My child chelsea belle — before addiction took over her life,” she wrote alongside an old photo.

“I loved her then i love her now as she faces a scary future — prayers welcomed.”

She added hashtags highlighting addiction awareness, love and family — signaling that despite legal turmoil, her focus remains on her daughter’s recovery and well-being.

Rosie, who is mother to five adopted children — Parker, Chelsea, Blake, Vivienne and Clay — has often spoken about parenting challenges in the public eye.

This latest development puts that struggle back into the spotlight.

The Broader Legal and Personal Impact

Probation revocations are serious. When someone fails to meet conditions — whether through new allegations, program noncompliance, or rule-breaking — courts can order them back into custody to serve time that had previously been suspended.

For Chelsea, the combination of alleged sexual misconduct, admitted relationship violations and reported drug court issues created a perfect storm.

Cases involving consent allegations are especially complex.

While the passenger claims he did not give permission, Chelsea insists the interaction was consensual.

That dispute alone would be weighty.

But layered on top of probation terms, it becomes even more consequential.

What’s Next?

The immediate future appears focused on custody and further legal proceedings tied to the probation violation.

Chelsea’s legal team, if she contests the revocation, could seek hearings or appeals.

Much will depend on how the court weighs the credibility of the assault claims and the admitted probation breaches.

There’s also the question of treatment.

Drug court programs are designed to emphasize rehabilitation over incarceration.

If Chelsea is removed permanently from that program, she could face more traditional sentencing consequences.

For her family, the focus may shift toward support and recovery.

Publicly, Rosie has framed the situation through the lens of addiction — suggesting that treatment and healing remain central concerns.

Summary

Chelsea O’Donnell, 28, had her probation revoked last October after authorities in Wisconsin accused her of inappropriately touching a male passenger in her vehicle — an allegation she denies.

At the time, she was serving a six-year probation sentence related to drug possession and other offenses.

Officials said she violated multiple terms of her probation, including engaging in unapproved romantic relationships and failing to meet drug court requirements.

Her mother, Rosie O’Donnell, publicly expressed heartbreak and support, highlighting her daughter’s ongoing battle with addiction.

The case now moves into its next legal phase, with Chelsea back in custody and facing an uncertain road ahead.v