Melissa Gilbert 61, an actress and co-founder of Modern Prairie, publicly addressed her husband Timothy Busfield’s child sex-abuse charges on Jan. 26. The statement came after Busfield was released from custody in New Mexico on Jan. 20.
**At a Glance
- Busfield faces two counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of child abuse.
- He surrendered to police on Jan. 13 and was released on Jan. 20.
- Gilbert’s first public comment was a heartfelt message of gratitude and support.
- Why it matters: The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of alleged abuse in the entertainment industry.
The charges stem from a warrant issued on Jan. 9 by the Albuquerque Police Department. The warrant accuses Busfield of unlawful sexual conduct with twin 11-year-old boys whose identities remain confidential. One minor alleged the incidents began when he was 7 years old. The boys were child actors who met Busfield on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a director.
On Jan. 13, Busfield turned himself in after the warrant was issued. Hours later, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman filed the official charges and a motion for pretrial detention. Busfield proclaimed his innocence in a video that was later shared by TMZ:
“They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it. I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies,” he said.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
| Charge | Details |
|---|---|
| Criminal sexual contact of a minor | Two counts |
| Child abuse | One count |
The warrant stated that the alleged abuse involved 11-year-old twin boys, and that the incidents began when the boys were 7. The boys were on the Cleaning Lady set, where Busfield worked as a director.
Busfield was released from custody on Jan. 20 pending trial in New Mexico. His civil lawyer, Larry Stein, told the media that the couple was still in shock but were “taking one day at a time.”
Melissa Gilbert’s Public Statement
Gilbert’s statement, released via Modern Prairie on Jan. 26, began with a message of love and gratitude:
“Sending you all my love and gratitude during this extraordinarily difficult time,” she wrote.
She added that the situation had become an “extraordinarily difficult” time not only for the family but for the community. She emphasized the need to slow down and find moments of rest:
“This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters, and allow ourselves moments of rest,” she said.
Gilbert thanked fans for their support:
“Thank you, truly, for the love, patience, and support you continue to show Tim and me. Thank you for helping me to feel safer, more grounded, and deeply held by this extraordinary community of women here at Modern Prairie,” she added.
She concluded that she would “easing back into things thoughtfully and with care – moving forward one step at a time.”
Family and Public Reaction
Before her statement, Gilbert had remained silent, following a request from Tim’s lawyers. An earlier statement issued on Jan. 13 by her representative, Ame Van Iden, clarified that any online claims of a statement were fabricated.
At Busfield’s pretrial detention hearing on Jan. 20, Gilbert attended the two-hour session. She was seen crying and whispered, “Thank you, God,” after the judge decided to release him on bail with conditions.
In the weeks leading up to the hearing, Gilbert was one of 75 people who wrote letters of support for Busfield to the judge. In her letter, she described Busfield as her love, partner, and protector, and asked the judge to keep him safe while in jail.
Next Steps and Legal Context
Busfield’s trial is scheduled to begin after his release from custody. The case underscores the importance of addressing child abuse allegations promptly and transparently. The New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families is working with the legal system to ensure the minors receive appropriate protection.
If anyone suspects child abuse, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-A-CHILD or 1-800-422-4453, and can be accessed in more than 170 languages at www.childhelp.org.
The story was reported by Daniel J. Whitman for News Of Los Angeles.
