Melissa Gilbert has broken her silence after her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, was accused of inappropriately touching two boys on the set of a TV show, acknowledging the “extraordinarily difficult time” that her family is facing.
“This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters, and allow ourselves moments of rest,” the Little House on the Prairie star shared on her company’s Instagram account, Modern Prairie, on Monday. “Stepping back from the noise, the news, and even our daily responsibilities from time to time gives us space to recharge, reflect, and find our center again.
“Thank you, truly, for the love, patience, and support you continue to show Tim and me,” Gilbert added. “Thank you for helping me to feel safer, more grounded, and deeply held by this extraordinary community of women here at Modern Prairie. I’ll be easing back into things thoughtfully and with care — moving forward one step at a time.”
Gilbert broke down in tears last Tuesday when an Albuquerque judge ordered Busfield’s release from custody. The couple has been married since 2013, and Gilbert deactivated her personal Instagram account in the wake of the accusations. Busfield, who starred in West Wing and Thirtysomething, was arrested earlier this month on charges of sexual contact with a minor and child abuse. Busfield has adamantly denied the charges, describing the claims as “horrible lies.”
The accusations stem from Busfield’s work on the Fox television series The Cleaning Lady, where the Hollywood veteran served as an executive producer and frequent director. While on set, the 68-year-old allegedly had inappropriate contact with twin child actors, which reportedly began occurring when the boys were around seven years old, according to an arrest warrant. Later, one of the children claimed that Busfield began touching his private areas over his clothes between takes.
Albuquerque officials launched an investigation into Busfield in November 2024 over concerns that the child actors were possibly “groomed” by Busfield. The investigation resumed late last year when one of the children made claims of sexual contact to his therapist.
After a warrant was issued for Busfield’s arrest, he traveled from New York to New Mexico, where the show was filmed, to turn himself in. As Busfield’s lawyers argued for his release, they submitted more than 80 letters of support from his family and friends, and a copy of an adult psychosexual evaluation that deemed Busfield “very low risk.” The report also noted he “does not appear to have a sexual attraction to prepubescent or adolescent males or females.”
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Judge David Murphy considered the submission when granting Busfield’s release, acknowledging that “given the lack of a pattern involving children” and the state failing to prove Busfield was an imminent danger to the community, he should be freed pending trial.
From Rolling Stone US
