Last 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. We then reported that Gilbert was standing by her husband in the wake of these allegations.
On Tuesday, Gilbert broke down in tears in court as a judge ruled that Busfield will be released from jail. Now, insiders are saying that Gilbert is “sick with worry” that “something would happen” to Busfield when he was locked up.
Gilbert ‘Sick With Worry’
Gilbert, 61, is reportedly feeling “grateful” that Busfield, 68, has been released from a New Mexico jail.
“The court hearing was obviously very emotional and stressful,” an insider told People Magazine. “Things are clearly far from over, but the main focus of getting Tim out of jail was accomplished. They’re both very grateful. Melissa has been sick with worry that something would happen to him in jail.”
The source went on to say that both Gilbert and Busfield are “very involved” working with their lawyer on the defense.
“They have this huge group of friends that support and check in on them every day,” the insider continued. “Melissa is very grateful for the support. She’ll be attending all the court hearings with Tim. She believes he’s innocent.”
Busfield was initially denied bond after he turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department on January 13. He then spent one week behind bars before a judge ruled on January 20 that he would be released.
Gilbert was in the courtroom when the judge issued this ruling. She was seen crying and mouthing “thank you, God” when she learned that her husband of 13 years would be released from jail.
Gilbert Stands By Busfield
Busfield, an Emmy-winning actor best known for roles on shows like The West Wing and movies like Field of Dreams, has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor (child under 13) and one count of child abuse. It’s been alleged that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys on the set of his series The Cleaning Lady, which he directed.
Gilbert has been standing by her husband from the very beginning of this controversy.
“Melissa stands with and supports her husband,” her rep told People Magazine after Busfield’s arrest.
Earlier this week, Gilbert wrote a letter to the judge in which she begged for Busfield’s release. In it, she described her husband as being “my love, my rock, my partner in business and life.” She added that she knows him “better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has.”
Gilbert proceeded to implore the judge to keep Busfield safe in jail.
“I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband,” she wrote. “As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart, I am relying on your to protect him for me.”
Just before Busfield was freed, another insider spoke out to say that “the past week has been a nightmare for Melissa.”
“She’s very concerned about Tim in jail. She wants him out so he’s safe,” this source said. “The detention facility where he’s being held has safety issue complaints. Her focus is to try and get him out this week.”
Busfield Claims He’s Innocent
As for Busfield, he’s been maintaining his innocence.
“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,” Busfield said in a video obtained by TMZ before he turned himself in.
After Busfield was freed, his civil attorney Larry Stein told People that the former Thirtysomething actor “feels wonderful.”
“He can reunite with Melissa,” Stein said. He added that Gilbert is “very, very excited.”
Gilbert and Busfield are likely still in celebration over securing his freedom until trial. However, they are still facing quite a battle when it comes to exonerating him. Only time will tell if Gilbert and Busfield are able to win out in the end, or if he’ll end up behind bars for much longer than one week in the future.