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.
Busfield Is Freed By Judge
Gilbert, 61, was present during a two-hour pretrial detention hearing in a San Bernalillo, New Mexico district court. There, a judge ruled that Busfield, 68, will be released with some conditions as he awaits trial on charges of child sex abuse.
“Given the lack of a pattern involving children in this case, I think that can be remedied through different conditions of release,” the judge said. “I don’t find that there’s been sufficient presentation that this defendant may commit new crimes if released pending trial. There’s no evidence of a pattern of criminal conduct. There are no similar allegations involving children in his past. There’s no evidence of non-compliance with prior court orders.”
“Rather, this defendant self-surrendered and submitted himself to this court’s jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the court order for his arrest,” the judge continued. “I cannot find that the state has proven by clear and convincing evidence that there are no release conditions that would reasonably protect the safety of any younger person in the community.”
While Busfield will be allowed to travel, he will be under the supervision of Pretrial Services in New Mexico. He must also notify the court of his address. On top of that, Busfield must appear at all future court appearances. Busfield is not allowed to possess any firearms or dangerous weapons, nor can he consume any alcohol or illegal drugs. He additionally must have no contact with the alleged victims, and he can’t have any unsupervised contact with minors.
Gilbert Thanks God
Gilbert was seen breaking down in tears as the judge issued this ruling. As she cried, the actress whispered the words “Thank you, God.”
Joining Gilbert in the courtroom were her 89-year-old mom Barbara Cowan and her son Michael Boxleitner, 30. Busfield’s brother Buck Busfield was present as well.
After the hearing, Busfield’s civil attorney Larry Stein told People Magazine that the former West Wing actor “feels wonderful.”
“He can reunite with Melissa,” Stein said. He added that Gilbert is “very, very excited.”
Gilbert Stands By Busfield
Gilbert had been standing by Busfield since his arrest. Indeed, she previously wrote a letter to the judge begging for him to be freed. In it, she described Busfield as “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.”
“I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me. I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over, I can’t help it,” Gilbert wrote. She added that she just wants this “extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband. 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.”
Earlier this week, insiders said that Gilbert was “very concerned” about Busfield’s safety in jail.
“The past week has been a nightmare for Melissa,” an insider told People. “She’s very concerned about Tim in jail. She wants him out so he’s safe.”
“The detention facility where he’s being held has safety issue complaints,” the source continued. “Her focus is to try and get him out this week.”
Clearly, Gilbert got her wish in the end.
Busfield’s Arrest
Busfield was issued an arrest warrant by the Albuquerque Police Department on January 9. He later turned himself in on January 13.
Busfield was subsequently charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on allegations that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys. He has been accused of sexually abusing them on the set of The Cleaning Lady, a show that Busfield directed. The series was filmed in Albuquerque.
In the criminal complaint, an investigator said that one of the boys alleged that Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7 years old and another time when he was 8. The other twin also claimed to have been touched by Busfield, although he did not specify where. He said that he didn’t say anything at the time because he was afraid he’d get in trouble.
Just before he turned himself in, Busfield maintained his innocence in a video obtained 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 in the video.
At the time of this writing, no trial date has been set for Busfield. It will certainly be interesting to see how this turns out for him and for Gilbert.