Drake Bell Moves Forward With Divorce From Janet Von Schmeling
Drake Bell has officially filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Janet Von Schmeling, two years after she first initiated their separation. The actor, 39, submitted the divorce papers in Seminole County, Florida, on Thursday, August 14, as reported by TMZ and Entertainment Weekly.
According to Bell’s manager, Juan José Rovirosa, the divorce process began in 2023 when Von Schmeling filed citing irreconcilable differences. Both parties are now in the final stages of the legal process, with their main priority being the safety and well-being of their son. The couple is approaching this transition with love and respect, closing a chapter of their lives as they focus on co-parenting their child.
Brittany Staggs, Bell’s attorney, added to TMZ that both Bell and Von Schmeling are requesting privacy as they navigate this new phase of their lives. The couple’s divorce comes after Von Schmeling initially filed for divorce in April 2023, citing a separation since September 2022. The filing occurred shortly after Bell was reported missing and later found by police in Daytona Beach, Florida.
In her initial filing, Von Schmeling sought primary legal and physical custody of their son, Wyatt, 4, while also requesting spousal support. Bell and Von Schmeling got married in 2018, but the actor only publicly announced their marriage and the birth of Wyatt in June 2021.
On a different note, Von Schmeling revealed in February on Instagram that she is expecting her second child with her current partner, Jim Perez. She expressed excitement for their “Rainbow Baby” due in September. In June, Von Schmeling honored Perez in a Father’s Day post, acknowledging his role in their lives and the upcoming arrival of their baby girl.
The divorce filing marks the end of a chapter for Bell and Von Schmeling as they move forward with co-parenting and focusing on their children’s best interests. The couple’s journey through separation and divorce serves as a reminder of the complexities of relationships and the importance of prioritizing family amidst life’s changes.
