At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield, 68, surrendered to Albuquerque police on January 13 after a warrant charged him with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- The alleged victims are 11-year-old twin boys who met Busfield while he directed them on FOX’s The Cleaning Lady.
- Wife Melissa Gilbert will remain silent per legal advice and is focused on “supporting and caring for their very large family,” her rep says.
- Why it matters: The case spotlights abuse allegations on a major TV set and tests how studios and families respond when trusted adults are accused.
Melissa Gilbert is standing by husband Timothy Busfield after the actor-director’s arrest on charges stemming from alleged sexual contact with twin minor actors. A representative for the Little House on the Prairie alum issued a statement shortly after Busfield turned himself in, signaling Gilbert’s intent to let the legal process play out privately.
The Arrest and Charges
An Albuquerque Police Department warrant obtained by News Of Losangeles outlines that Busfield faces:
- Two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor
- One count of child abuse
The document alleges the incidents involve twin boys who were 7 years old when the reported behavior began. The boys, now 11, worked with Busfeld on The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a director. The show aired from January 2022 to June 2025.
According to the warrant, the boys’ parents told investigator Marvin Brown that an attorney advised them to take the children to University of New Mexico Hospital in November 2024 after the children disclosed alleged abuse. Medical staff noted signs the boys “were groomed,” though the case initially “did not meet acceptance criteria.”
Timeline of Reports
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Nov 2022-Spring 2024 | Alleged abuse period, per mother’s 2025 statement |
| Nov 2024 | Doctor at UNMH alerts police |
| Oct 2025 | Mother files police report & contacts CPS, told no physical abuse noted |
| 2 Sept 2025 | Boy tells counselor about inappropriate touching |
| 22 Sept 2025 | Second disclosure to counselor |
| 9 Jan 2025 | Warrant issued for Busfield’s arrest |
| 13 Jan 2025 | Busfield surrenders, booked at Metro Detention Center |
Gilbert’s Response
A statement released on January 13 by Gilbert’s representative says she is “honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to 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,”
the statement continues, adding that Gilbert “stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time.”
The couple, married since 2013, share two children and eight grandchildren. Gilbert is also step-mother to Busfield’s three children from previous relationships.
Allegations Detailed in Warrant
One of the boys told therapists that Busfield “touched and rubbed his penis 3 or 4 times and appeared to be ashamed,” the warrant states. The child was later diagnosed with moderate PTSD and anxiety, reporting nightmares and bed-wetting.
The investigator notes that Busfield and Gilbert socialized with the family away from set, exchanging Christmas gifts and attending functions together. The warrant claims this created opportunities for Busfield to be alone with one boy lying in a bed on set and in a hair-and-makeup trailer, where a witness allegedly saw Busfield “kiss a minor male on the face” in December 2024.
Busfield’s Comments to Police
During the investigation, Busfield allegedly acknowledged he likely picked up or tickled children to maintain “a playful environment,” though he said he didn’t recall specifically carrying the twins. He denied any inappropriate touching, noting rules against such contact “in front of the parents” and the constant presence of others on set.
He characterized the relationship with the boys and their parents as friendly but professional, insisting nothing “weird” occurred. Nonetheless, the warrant contends multiple production sources provided statements supporting the opportunity for Busfield to have private contact with the minor.
Studio Reaction
Warner Bros. Television told News Of Losangeles:
> “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action. [We] have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.”
The company launched an internal inquiry after receiving a complaint, the warrant notes, and shared findings with authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Timothy Busfield, 68, is charged with sex crimes involving 11-year-old twins he directed on The Cleaning Lady.
- Melissa Gilbert backs her husband but will stay publicly silent under legal advice.
- Investigators allege grooming behavior masked as playful interaction on set and at social gatherings.
- Warner Bros. says it prioritizes minor safety and is cooperating with police.
Anyone with information or concerns about child abuse can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelp.org.
