Tylor Chase, the former Nickelodeon actor who played Martin Qwerly on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, has been seen living behind a plywood plank on his mother's porch in Riverside, California, whilst struggling with substance abuse. Reporters recently observed Chase smoking a pipe behind the makeshift shelter, appearing dishevelled and far removed from his television persona.
The sighting follows months of public struggles for Chase, who revealed in September that he was homeless and battling drug addiction. His mother, Paula Moisio, described the property as a 'safe space' for her son, though it remains unclear whether he is permitted to sleep inside or has been restricted to the porch due to his addiction issues. The contrast between his current circumstances and his days as a child star has shocked fans who remember him from the popular Nickelodeon series.
Living Behind a Plywood Plank
A rough plywood sheet has been propped up to block the view from the street, creating a small, hidden space where Chase can sleep away from public view. The makeshift arrangement carves out a tiny nook that shields him from the gaze of neighbours and passers-by.
During a recent visit, Chase declined to speak directly to the press, whilst his mother offered a brief glimpse into the family's difficult situation. The living arrangement has turned Chase into what locals describe as an 'unfortunate fixture' in the Riverside County neighbourhood, where he is often seen wandering the streets or near the Tyler Mall.
Tragic ex-Nickelodeon child star Tylor Chase seen smoking pipe, sleeping behind plank of wood on mom’s porch https://t.co/Xcsvx61DDp pic.twitter.com/mAUgJLJG60
— New York Post (@nypost) January 26, 2026
GoFundMe shut down
Compassionate fans initially rallied to help the troubled star, launching a fundraising campaign to get him back on his feet. However, the effort was short-lived. The GoFundMe page had raised approximately £960 ($1,200), before Moisio intervened and shut it down. Her reasoning was stark and painful: she feared Chase would simply use the cash to fuel his drug habits.
'Needs medical attention, not money,' she said, highlighting the severity of his condition. Chase has been open about his substance use, telling the Daily Mail that he 'likes to vape' and claiming to take a cocktail of prescription medications, including Prozac, Adderall, Sudafed, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft.
The situation reached a critical point over the holidays. According to a report from TMZ, Chase was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold at a Riverside hospital on Christmas Day, with hopes he would transition directly into a rehabilitation facility. However, those plans appear to have fallen through. Instead of entering treatment, he was later seen digging in the dirt behind a 7-Eleven on a busy street, his hands cut and blistered with dirt under his fingernails.
Failed Rescue Attempt
Attempts by friends to intervene have ended in chaos. Daniel Curtis Lee, who co-starred with Chase on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, recently tried to help by taking Chase for a meal at a pizza place and paying for a motel room, hoping to give his old friend a night of comfort and respite from the streets.
'He trusted an old friend,' Lee shared in an Instagram clip regarding the reunion. 'He wanted to stay local, and this was the only one that was open.'
Unfortunately, the gesture ended in destruction. Chase allegedly trashed the room, leaving the door wide open, flipping the refrigerator upside down, and dumping the microwave into the bathtub. The incident left Lee dismayed and highlighted the depth of Chase's struggles.
Court records show Chase has had 12 misdemeanour arrests in Riverside County since 2023, largely for shoplifting, with the most recent occurring at a Nordstrom Rack. Despite the mounting legal and personal troubles, Riverside Police say he is not currently wanted for any crimes, though officers interact with him weekly. His situation has become a tragic example of the challenges faced by former child stars attempting to navigate adult life after early fame.
