Actress Melissa Gilbert is vowing to stand by husband Timothy Busfield after he surrendered himself to police on Tuesday over child sex abuse allegations.
Five days ago, the Albuquerque Police Department issued a warrant for Busfield’s arrest over shocking allegations that he had engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady.
Busfield turned himself in on January 13, four days after the warrant was issued. According to the Los Angeles Times, a spokesperson for the Albuquerque Police Department confirmed on Tuesday that Busfield “turned himself in at the Metro Detention Center.”
The actor and director was heard denying the allegations in a video published by TMZ where he said: “I’m gonna confront these lies, they’re horrible.”
As per the latest reports, the 68-year-old is now in custody awaiting a decision from prosecutors as to whether he will be detained until trial.
His wife, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, has vowed to stand by her husband, while her rep confirmed she would be “honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.”
The statement added: “During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment.”
“Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
The pair have been married since 2013.
As per the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, Busfield has been formally charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
“Timothy Busfield is currently in custody at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center,” law enforcement officials said in a statement.
“He has been charged with two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor (child under 13) and one count of Child Abuse.”
“The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office intends to file a motion seeking to keep Mr. Busfield in custody while the case proceeds through the judicial process,” the statement adds.
“A judge will then determine whether Busfield remains detained or is released pending trial. The District Attorney’s Office routinely files pretrial detention motions in cases involving these types of charges.”
Busfield confronted the allegations shortly before handing himself in. In a video that was widely shard online, the Emmy-winning actor said: “Hi everybody, it’s Tim. 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.”
He went on: “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.”
“So hang in there and hopefully I’m out real soon and back to work,” he concluded. “I love everybody for supporting me, thank you.”
