At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse in New Mexico
- Wife Melissa Gilbert calls the past week a “nightmare” and fears for his safety in detention
- Busfield could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all three charges
- Why it matters: The case involves child actors who met Busfield on a TV set, raising questions about industry safeguards
Melissa Gilbert is fighting to free her husband Timothy Busfield from a New Mexico jail after he was charged with sexually abusing 11-year-old twin boys, according to News Of Los Angeles.
The Little House on the Prairie star, 61, has asked a judge to release Busfield, 68, while he awaits trial on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. A detention facility hearing is set for Tuesday, Jan. 20, when a judge will decide whether Busfield must stay locked up until trial.
The Allegations
Police in Albuquerque issued an arrest warrant for Busfield on Jan. 9, alleging he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with twin boys who worked as child actors on the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director.
Busfield surrendered to authorities and was officially charged on Jan. 13. He made his first court appearance the next day.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said the case has been transferred to District Court. If convicted, Busfield faces up to 15 years behind bars.
Gilbert’s Plea
Gilbert, who married Busfield in 2013, wrote a heartfelt letter to the judge pleading for her husband’s release. In the letter, included in court filings, she described Busfield as “my love, my rock, my partner in business and life.”
“Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family,” Gilbert wrote. “He has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known.”
She claimed that on every set where Busfield works, multiple people approach her to say he is “their favorite director ever.”
A source told News Of Los Angeles that Gilbert feels like she’s living in a “nightmare” and is “very concerned about Tim in jail.” The source said the detention facility where Busfield is being held has documented safety complaints, prompting Gilbert to push for his release.
Additional Allegation
The prosecution’s pretrial detention motion included a new allegation from Colin Swift, who reported to law enforcement on Jan. 13 that Busfield allegedly sexually abused Swift’s daughter “several years ago” in Sacramento, California. The alleged incident occurred when the girl was auditioning for Busfield at B Street Theatre.
Busfield’s civil attorney Larry Stein denied all allegations, calling them “absolutely false.”
“He’s devastated and will defend himself, because these are absolutely false allegations,” Stein said in a statement to News Of Los Angeles.
Busfield’s Response
In a video obtained by TMZ, taken moments before he turned himself in, Busfield vowed to “confront these lies” and “fight” the charges.
New Mexico has eliminated monetary bail, so the upcoming hearing will determine whether Busfield remains in custody or is released with or without conditions.
Gilbert is listed as a potential witness in the case. Her representative Ame Van Iden said Gilbert will not speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.
“During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment,” Van Iden said. “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
Key Takeaways
- Busfield faces serious charges involving child actors he met while directing The Cleaning Lady
- Gilbert has mounted a public defense, writing a detailed letter praising her husband’s character
- A judge will decide next week whether Busfield stays jailed until trial
- The case has expanded to include an unrelated historical allegation from California
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
