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. Yesterday, we reported that Gilbert was standing by her husband in the wake of these allegations.
Now, Busfield has been accused of sexually abusing a third minor. This alleged victim is a 16 year-old girl, whose father is claiming that Busfield “begged” for therapy instead of police involvement.
Busfield Hit With New Allegations
Busfield, 68, surrendered to the Albuquerque Police Department on Tuesday. This came after an arrest warrant was issued last Friday alleging that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two boys. Busfield has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. He is currently being held without bond.
In a pretrial detention motion that was filed on Wednesday, Busfield was hit with another allegation of sexual abuse. This motion has since been obtained by People Magazine, and what it has to say is deeply disturbing.
According to this motion, “another victim’s father,” Colin Swift, reported to law enforcement on January 13 that Busfield allegedly had sexually abused Swift’s daughter “several years ago” in Sacramento, California.
“While auditioning for [Busfield] at B Street Threatre, the 16-year-old reported that [Busfield] kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates,” the motion alleges.
Busfield, a former star of The West Wing, allegedly “begged the family to not report to law enforcement if he received therapy.” Swift, being a “therapist himself, thought at the time that was the best thing to do.”
Busfield’s Children’s Theater
Busfield founded B Street Theatre back in 1986. At the time, it was known as the Theatre for Children, Inc. B Street Theatre has since tried to distance itself from Busfield in the wake of his arrest.
“B Street Theatre is aware of a report concerning Timothy Busfield regarding an incident alleged to have occurred at B Street Theatre approximately 25 years ago,” the centre said in a statement. It added that B Street Theater has “retained legal counsel at the time to conduct an internal investigation. And Mr. Busfield has not had any role in the organization since 2001.”
“He is not involved in our current operations, staff, leadership, or programming. Although he is listed as an emeritus board member, he has not participated in theatre governance or attended a board meeting since that time. Because this matter is now part of an ongoing investigation related to a separate alleged incident in New Mexico, we are unable to provide further comment at this time,” the statement continued. “As an organization that has served Sacramento and the greater region for decades, our mission remains to provide a safe, creative, and inclusive environment for artists, students, families, and audiences. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by abuse or exploitation in any form.”
Busfield Claims He’s Innocent
Before turning himself in to authorities, Busfield released a video to TMZ in which he claimed to be innocent.
“Hi everybody, it’s Tim,” Busfield began. “I’m sure most of you know, that are watching this, that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque. I’m here now. I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I’m gonna confront these lies. They’re horrible.”
“They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it,” he added. “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.”
“So hang in there and hopefully I’m out real soon and back to work,” Busfield concluded. “I love everybody for supporting me, thank you.”
Gilbert Defends Busfield
Gilbert, who has been married to Busfield since 2013, stood by him in the wake of his arrest.
“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.”
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.
Busfield appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday. There, he was denied bail. The allegations that have been made against Busfield are deeply disturbing. Only time will tell how this all turns out for both him and Gilbert.