Earlier this week, we reported that the former Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert’s husband Timothy Busfield had been accused of sexually abusing two 11 year-old twin boys. Now, Gilbert has broken her silence after Busfield turned him in to New Mexico authorities.
Gilbert, 61, is reportedly standing by Busfield, 68, amidst these serious allegations.
Gilbert Stands By Busfield
“During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment,” Gilbert’s rep told Us Weekly on Tuesday. “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
Gilbert’s rep also said that she will be “honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.”
Gilbert is the mother of two children from a previous marriage. She is also stepmother to Busfield’s three children. Together, they have eight grandchildren between them. Gilbert and Busfield have been married since 2013. She’s been open in the past about how much they love their blended family.
“It’s absolutely heavenly because I have, as a grandparent, I’m going to speak for both of us,” Gilbert told People Magazine in 2023. “As grandparents, Tim and I can relax in the knowledge that we’ve done all of this, so there’s no stress.”
Busfield Turns Himself In
An arrest warrant was issued for Busfield last Friday. He finally surrendered to authorities in Albuquerque on Tuesday. Busfield is now facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. He has since spoken out to deny the allegations against him.
“I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys,” Busfield said in a video obtained by TMZ. “I’m going to fight it. I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Busfield’s attorney Larry Stein told reporters that his client voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities after traveling across the country “to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations.”
“He is innocent and is determined to clear his name,” Stein added.
Allegations Against Busfield
The 11 year-old twins accusing Busfield met him on the set of his series The Cleaning Lady, which he directed.
Busfield worked on this program from 2022 until 2025. He reportedly “grew closer to the boys” during their time shooting the show together. Busfield, 68, allegedly instructed the boys to call him “Uncle Tim.” He also tickled them on their stomach and legs, according to the arrest warrant. Both boys allege that Busfield touched them inappropriately. One of them claims that Busfield touched his genitals on several occasions.
The incident was reported to the authorities by the mother of the twins. One of them has allegedly been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in the wake of the abuse.
In November of 2025, Busfield talked to detectives over the phone about these allegations. At the time, he said that it was “highly likely” that he had “physical contact” with the boys. He described the set of The Cleaning Lady as being a “playful environment.”
“I don’t remember those boys,” Busfield also said, according to the affidavit. “No, I don’t. I don’t actually, I don’t remember it, if it happened. I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for me.”
Busfield is best known for starring on shows like The West Wing and Thirtysomething, for which he won an Emmy back in 1991. He additionally had a starring role in the classic 1989 movie Field of Dreams.
For now, it seems that Gilbert is adamantly standing by her man. Only time will tell if Busfield will be able to clear his name.