Tylor Chase is now receiving medical treatment at a Southern California hospital after a coordinated effort by friends, family and former costars to get the struggling former child actor urgent help.
The update marks a major development following days of concern about Chase’s well-being, as images and videos surfaced showing him living on the streets.
Those close to the former Nickelodeon star say the intervention came after his father urged trusted contacts to do whatever they could to get his son into treatment.
Daniel Curtis Lee, Chase’s former Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide costar, told the Daily Mail that Chase’s father had “instructed” Jacob “Jake” Harris, a Los Angeles based influencer and business owner, to step in and help his son.
Friends coordinate emergency intervention
Harris said he was able to move quickly once he connected with the right resources.
“I was able to finally get ahold of a crisis center that would come out and do a same-day evaluation,” Harris told the Daily Mail on Christmas Day. “They determined he needed immediate help and brought him to a local hospital for 72-hour treatment.”
He added: “He’s in good care now. And the future is looking bright. He just needed someone to actually do something to help.”
Harris became involved through his connection to former Mighty Ducks star Shaun Weiss, who has openly discussed his own past struggles with addiction and his recovery.
Weiss had previously made a public plea online, saying he wanted to find Chase and help him after receiving emotional messages from fans about the former child star.
The news of Chase’s hospitalization followed troubling scenes from Christmas Eve, when he was photographed out in the rain as a fan gave him a red raincoat and food before offering a prayer for him. Chase appeared grateful for the gesture as onlookers tried to help him through the cold weather.
Tylor Chase's Dad Speaks Out
Joseph Mendez Jr., 60, revealed that his son - whose legal name is Tylor Kurtis Mendez - has battled addiction, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia for over a decade.
“He’s a wonderful person when he’s Tylor,” Mendez told the Daily Mail.
“For over a decade, the family has sought treatment options for Tylor, including support for substance use as well as mental health care,” the Georgia-based realtor continued.
“In addition to addiction, Tylor has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which require consistent medical treatment.”
Mendez explained that in 2021, Chase received treatment in Georgia, but the progress didn’t last.
“Approximately four years ago, he received treatment in Georgia, and while there was progress for a time, he later chose to discontinue medication and resumed substance use,” he said.
“More recently, Tylor returned to California to be with his mother in hopes of stabilizing his situation; however, despite continued support, he has refused ongoing treatment and assistance.”
Former costars speak out and offer support
Lee, now 34, said earlier that he was “uncertain” whether Chase, 36, had sought medical care “of his own volition.”
He explained that he was among several friends who FaceTimed with Chase on Monday to “encourage him to go into treatment.”
“His father informed me that he instructed Jake to get Tylor into treatment however possible,” Lee told the Daily Mail. “I pray this is a step to get him to stay in treatment.”
On Christmas Eve, Chase was seen accepting new clothes from good Samaritans in Southern California.
He wore a red coat over a black hooded sweatshirt, gray pants and black Nike sneakers as rain fell.
Video from the encounter showed a man draping the coat over Chase before helping him put his arms through the sleeves.
When asked if he could be prayed for, Chase briefly smiled and replied: “I appreciate that!”
As Chase leaned forward, the man placed his hands on his shoulder and back, praying for God to “release the demonic activity” and to “take him out of the darkness.”