At a Glance
- Michael Boxleitner, 30, wrote a character letter calling stepdad Timothy Busfield his “hero” as Busfield faces child sex abuse charges in New Mexico.
- Busfield, 68, is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse involving 11-year-old twin boys.
- Melissa Gilbert also submitted a letter praising Busfield’s impact on her teenage son.
**Why it matters: The letters offer a rare public defense from the family as the legal case unfolds.
Melissa Gilbert’s son Michael Boxleitner has submitted a heartfelt character letter for his stepfather Timothy Busfield, who surrendered to Albuquerque police on January 13 and was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The alleged incidents occurred while Busfield directed the second season of The Cleaning Lady in 2022; the victims are 11-year-old twin boys.
Michael Boxleitner’s Letter
In the January 17 court filing obtained by News Of Losangeles, Michael, 30, wrote:
- “Timothy Busfield is my hero.”
- “He has shown up for me as a father more in the 15 years I’ve known him than my own biological father ever has in the entirety of my life.”
- “He is kind, thoughtful, and carries himself with a stalwart integrity all of us could only ever hope to match.”
Michael first met Busfield at age 15 when the actor married Gilbert in April 2013. Professionally, Michael has worked with Busfield “multiple times, either behind the camera or on stage,” and credits the director with creating “a space where all feel welcome and equal, filling the days with light and laughter while keeping a professional setting.”
He closed the letter with a direct plea: “Your honor, the quality of Tim’s character is unlike anyone I’ve ever known … I ask you your honor to please take care of him for me.”
Melissa Gilbert’s Letter
Gilbert, 61, also submitted a letter describing Busfield’s role in raising her son:
- “One of the great joys of my life has been watching Tim interact with my youngest son, Michael.”
- “Tim nurtured and guided Michael. He admonished, praised, loved, consoled, cajoled, fretted, cared for, and fed my son both physically and spiritually.”
- “I will never be able to express the depth of gratitude I have to God for bringing this wonderful human into our lives.”
Additional Support
Michael’s girlfriend contributed a letter stating his “honesty, warmth, and compassion come from having Tim as a role model.” Several other Busfield family members submitted letters of support, all filed on January 17.
Legal Context
A pretrial detention motion filed January 14 included an unrelated allegation of sexual abuse. Busfield remains in custody as the case proceeds.
Key Takeaways
- The family letters portray Busfield as a devoted stepfather and mentor.
- The charges stem from his time on The Cleaning Lady set in 2022.
- Both Michael and Melissa Gilbert are asking the court to weigh Busfield’s character as the legal process continues.
