Former child star Daniel Curtis Lee’s attempt to help homeless co-star Tylor Chase by paying for a motel room ended in disarray when Chase allegedly trashed the room within hours, underscoring the challenges of aiding individuals with severe mental health and addiction issues.
The incident began after a viral TikTok video in September 2025 showed Chase, known for his role on Nickelodeon’s ‘Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide,’ living on the streets of Riverside, California. This prompted Lee, who played ‘Cookie’ on the show, to drive from Los Angeles to Riverside on Christmas Day 2025, buy Chase a meal, and secure a motel room ahead of an approaching storm.
However, Lee’s goodwill quickly turned sour when motel staff contacted him hours later to report extensive damage: the room’s door was left open, the refrigerator was flipped over, and the microwave was found in the bathtub. Lee shared the aftermath on social media, expressing heartbreak but noting that Chase’s family had warned him of similar past incidents due to Chase’s long-standing struggles with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse.
Other former child stars, including Shaun Weiss of ‘The Mighty Ducks,’ have offered support, with Weiss providing a bed at a detox facility, but Chase has consistently declined such interventions. Local authorities in Southern California have repeatedly offered shelter and mental health services, all of which Chase has refused, highlighting the complexities of helping those who resist aid.
The event has sparked criticism of California’s support systems for the homeless, with Lee pointing out systemic failures in providing long-term care. It also raises broader questions about the entertainment industry’s role in supporting former child stars facing personal crises.
As of late December 2025, Chase remains homeless and unwilling to accept sustained treatment, leaving those trying to help him with few options. The incident serves as a stark reminder that immediate acts of kindness may not address underlying issues without professional, comprehensive care.
Moving forward, the focus may shift to advocacy for improved mental health and addiction services, while Chase’s situation remains precarious, dependent on his eventual willingness to seek help.
