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Prosecutor: Man sent nude pic to Rosie O'Donnell's daughter

New Jersey - The owner of a home where comedian Rosie O'Donnell's teenage daughter was found last week sent the girl a nude photo, according to a criminal complaint released on Monday.

Steven Sheerer, 25, is accused of having inappropriate online communications with 17-year-old Chelsea O'Donnell. He "knowingly distributed obscene images to a minor ... specifically a nude photo over the Internet," the complaint said.

The Barnegat man made his initial appearance in state Superior Court in Toms River on Monday afternoon, but did not enter a plea. He faces charges of child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor. Bail remained at $40k cash, but a bail review was scheduled for Tuesday.

Ocean County prosecutors say he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

(Steven Sheerer, Greatstock/Splash)

Sheerer's attorney, Robert Tarver, said he has notified prosecutors that he plans to present evidence that will show his client is not guilty. He declined to provide specific details.

"We believe we have strong evidence that there was no endangering here, and that it will show that what has been reported and what his role supposedly was is completely false," Tarver said.

Sheerer was arrested on Friday night at his home. Chelsea O'Donnell was found at the home on 18 August, hours after her mother posted a statement online saying the girl had left home in South Nyack, New York, a week earlier.

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