Melissa Gilbert Speaks Out as Husband Faces Charges
Melissa Gilbert broke her silence after her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, surrendered to authorities over allegations involving minors. Busfield, an Emmy winner, maintained his innocence, calling the claims “lies.”
“I did not do anything to those little boys,” he said.
Gilbert’s representative emphasized that she was “honoring the request of Timothy’s lawyers” and would refrain from public comments during the legal process.
Allegations and Legal Response
Busfield faces accusations of inappropriately touching two young boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady, a show he directed and acted in from 2022 to 2025. The children, referred to in the affidavit as VL and SL, reportedly told their parents about the incidents, prompting a Child Protective Services investigation in 2025.
Authorities allege Busfield groomed the boys, requiring them to call him “Uncle Tim,” and engaged in inappropriate physical contact. One child reportedly developed PTSD following the alleged incidents.
Busfield denies the accusations, claiming the allegations are part of a revenge plot after he replaced the twins with a younger actor in the final season.
Gilbert’s Statement and Focus
A representative for Gilbert said she is focused on “supporting and caring for their very large family” during this difficult period.
“Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected,” the statement read.
The spokesperson also warned against circulating false or AI-generated statements purportedly from Gilbert.
Timothy Busfield’s Legal Actions
After an arrest warrant was issued, Busfield voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, with his first court appearance scheduled for January 14, 2026.
Busfield’s civil attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, said:
“Tim voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations. He is innocent and determined to clear his name.”
Independent investigator Christina McGovern, hired by Warner Bros., reported no evidence of inappropriate conduct or unsupervised interactions with the children. She stated:
“The claims being made against Tim are completely false, and we will fight this to the end until the truth prevails.”
Public Reaction and Next Steps
Busfield described the allegations as “horrible lies” in a video statement, promising to fight to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, Gilbert continues to maintain her privacy and support her family while legal proceedings unfold.
