Drake Bell is moving ahead with his divorce from Janet Von Schmeling. This step comes two years after she first sought to end their marriage.
Bell, age 39, recently filed his own divorce papers. He submitted them in Seminole County, Florida, on Thursday, August 14. This information comes from reports by TMZ and Entertainment Weekly.
According to Bell’s representative, Juan José Rovirosa, the divorce process started in 2023. That’s when his estranged wife filed, citing major differences. Rovirosa explained that both parties are simply finishing the legal steps now. He added that their main focus remains their son’s safety and happiness. The split is happening with love and respect, closing a beautiful part of their lives. It’s now changing into a different kind of bond, always keeping their son’s best interest first. Bell’s lawyer, Brittany Staggs, also asked for privacy for the couple. She shared this request with TMZ.
Von Schmeling first filed for divorce from Bell, a former Nickelodeon actor, in April 2023. This happened after they had been married for four years. She stated that they had been living apart since September 2022. Her filing came just days after police in Daytona Beach, Florida, reported Bell missing and later found him.
In her initial filing, Von Schmeling asked for primary legal and physical custody of their son, Wyatt, who is 4 years old. She did, however, request that Bell still have visitation rights. Von Schmeling also sought spousal support in her divorce papers.
Bell and Von Schmeling got married in 2018. However, Bell did not publicly share news of their marriage or the birth of their son, Wyatt, until June 2021. He posted an update on X (formerly Twitter) about it. “Many rumors out there are wrong,” Bell shared. “I’ve been married for almost 3 years. We are lucky parents to a wonderful son. Thanks to all my fans around the world for their good wishes.”
In a more recent development, Von Schmeling announced some happy news in February. She revealed on Instagram that she is expecting her second child with her current partner, Jim Perez. She posted a picture of an ultrasound and wrote, “Our rainbow baby 🌈. September can’t come soon enough ❤️.”
This past June, Bell’s estranged wife also honored Perez on Instagram for Father’s Day. She described his bond with Wyatt in detail. “He chose us,” Von Schmeling wrote. “He showed up in big moments, quiet moments, and all the moments in between. He became the man Wyatt and I didn’t know we needed.” She added that they are counting down the days until their baby girl can also be with her dad. Von Schmeling finished her message by saying, “Happy (early) Father’s Day to the man who showed up with love and never looked back 💙.”