Drake Bell Files for Divorce from Estranged Wife

Over two years after his wife, actress Janet Von Schmeling, initially filed for divorce, Drake Bell has officially submitted legal documents to end their marriage. The filing was made in Seminole County, Florida, this past Thursday.

The couple’s divorce details are currently undisclosed as the official documents are not publicly available. Reps for Bell have not commented, but his attorney, Brittany Staggs, requested privacy for both parties as they begin this new chapter.

Von Schmeling first initiated divorce proceedings in April 2023 in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences. This was shortly after Bell was reported missing and declared endangered by authorities, which prompted a brief manhunt. She listed her primary concern as obtaining full custody of their four-year-old son, Wyatt, while granting Bell visitation rights. The court has scheduled a meeting for December 2024 to address the matter, though results remain unknown.

The separation occurred in January 2023, following Bell’s entry into treatment for addiction struggles. After the split, Von Schmeling moved to Florida with their son, citing the need for stability.

Sources indicate that both parents share a history of positive moments together, and there is optimism about their ability to co-parent effectively in the future. A friend commented, “He needs to focus on his health, but he is a great father when sober.”