Rosie O'Donnell -- Daughter Found Hanging With Heroin Convict

Rosie O'Donnell wants everyone to know that the 25-year-old man who was with her runaway 17-year-old daughter Chelsea when cops found her has a serious criminal record.

O'Donnell set off a firestorm by pointing the finger at Steve Sheerer, who she alleges has done this type of thing before.

Fact is ... Sheerer does indeed have a criminal record. He was arrested in 2012 for heroin possession, heroin possession with the intent to distribute, and endangering the welfare of a child. He pled guilty to one heroin charge and the other 2 were dismissed. He was sentenced to 53 days in jail.

And just before his sentencing, Sheerer was arrested again for possession of Suboxone -- a drug to treat opiate addiction.

Police were able to find Chelsea by pinging her cell phone, and they discovered her with Sheerer at a house where he was staying.