Melissa Gilbert, actress and wife of actor Timothy Busfield, has come forward to publicly support her husband after he was accused of child sex offenses and turned himself in to law enforcement in New Mexico.
The 68-year-old West Wing star, who has been charged with child abuse and criminal sexual contact with a minor, denied the allegations and insisted he was innocent during a video statement shared with TMZ.
Gilbert Stands by Her Husband as Allegations Surface
In a statement issued through her representative, Gilbert made it clear that she is standing by Busfield during this difficult time.
However, the Little House on the Prairie star’s spokesperson also emphasized that Gilbert is not making any public statements at the moment, following the advice of Busfield’s legal team.
“Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time.
Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online, including AI-generated deepfakes, should not be considered as coming from her,” the representative told People magazine.
Gilbert’s focus, the statement continued, is on supporting her family as they navigate the legal challenges ahead.
The actress also requested privacy during this period of uncertainty.
Busfield Denies Allegations in Video Statement
Timothy Busfield’s surrender came after a warrant was issued for his arrest, stemming from allegations made in November 2024.
The actor spoke to TMZ upon his arrival in Albuquerque, declaring that the accusations were “horrible lies.”
Busfield explained that he had been ordered to come to New Mexico after receiving a call on Friday night, which led him to hire an attorney and drive the 2,000 miles to face the charges.
“I did not do anything to those little boys,” he insisted in the video.
“I will confront these lies. They’re all lies, and I did not do anything.
I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I know I’m going to be exonerated.”
The Allegations and Investigation Details
The charges against Busfield relate to alleged incidents that took place during the production of The Cleaning Lady in 2022.
Busfield, who directed the show, is accused of inappropriately touching two young boys, both seven years old at the time, on set.
The investigation into the actor began when hospital staff in New Mexico reported concerns about possible grooming on the studio set.
According to the criminal complaint, Busfield allegedly instructed the boys to call him “Uncle Tim” and would tickle them on their stomachs and legs, despite their discomfort with it.
While the children did not initially report any sexual contact, one of the boys later disclosed to a therapist that Busfield had touched his “genitalia” and “bottom” while in a bedroom on set.
The allegations prompted Child Protective Services to become involved in October 2025, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant for Busfield.
Busfield’s Defense: Revenge Allegations from the Parents
Busfield’s defense team, led by civil lawyer Larry Stein, has suggested that the accusations are part of a “revenge plot” orchestrated by the boys’ parents.
According to Stein, Busfield was not invited to bring the children back for further filming, which may have prompted the parents to fabricate the allegations.
Busfield reportedly told investigators that the allegations were part of a plot to get back at him, claiming that one of the boys’ mothers had told an actress on set that she wanted to “get revenge” on him.
The criminal complaint also details how Busfield and Gilbert had developed personal relationships with the families of the alleged victims, including buying Christmas gifts for the children and inviting them to off-set gatherings.
These details are significant in the ongoing investigation, as they suggest a closer relationship between the families and the Busfields than initially suspected.
The Impact on the Children and Their Families
According to the criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, the alleged abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024.
At least one of the children involved in the case has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the alleged incidents.
This diagnosis adds weight to the claims being made against Busfield and underscores the emotional toll that these events have had on the children involved.
Melissa Gilbert’s Support and Public Silence
Despite the public nature of the allegations, Gilbert has remained steadfast in her support for her husband, albeit from a distance.
She has refrained from making any direct public comments about the case, citing the legal process and a desire to protect her family’s privacy. The statement from her representative further emphasized her commitment to supporting Busfield and her focus on caring for their large family during this challenging time.
Gilbert has faced scrutiny herself due to her connection to the case, but she has consistently shown solidarity with Busfield.
The actress’ representative clarified that any online statements attributed to her, particularly those involving deepfake videos or AI-generated content, should not be considered credible.
The Busfields’ Personal and Professional Life
Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert have been married since 2013, celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary in April 2025.
Gilbert, who became famous as a child in the 1960s, has had a long and varied career, including serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild and running for Congress in 2015.
The couple’s marriage has largely been portrayed as stable and supportive, with Gilbert often expressing her love and admiration for her husband in public forums.
However, following the release of the arrest warrant and the ensuing media frenzy, Gilbert deleted her Instagram account, further highlighting the personal strain that the ongoing allegations have placed on the couple.
Legal Process Moving Forward
Timothy Busfield is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, awaiting his first court appearance, which is set for Wednesday afternoon.
As the legal proceedings move forward, both Busfield and Gilbert’s supporters continue to stand by them, while others wait for more details to emerge from the case.
The outcome of this case remains uncertain, but the allegations are serious and have the potential to severely impact both the actor’s career and his personal life.
The legal team representing Busfield is confident that he will be exonerated, but the public and legal scrutiny surrounding the case will likely continue for months to come.
As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on how the legal system handles the accusations and what impact the allegations will have on Busfield, Gilbert, and their family.
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