What to Know
Former Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert is breaking her silence after her husband and West Wing star Timothy Busfield was accused of child sexual abuse.
After Timothy turned himself in to police on Tuesday, January 13, after news broke that there was a warrant out for his arrest, Melissa released a statement, affirming that she will be “standing with” her husband and their family during this difficult time.
Timothy turned himself in at the Albuquerque Police Department.
According to People, a warrant for Timothy’s arrest was issued on January 9. In the paperwork, he was accused of unlawful sexual conduct with twin 11-year-old boys who met him while working on the set of The Cleaning Lady, a show that Timothy has directed in the past.
In October, the boys’ mother filed a police report stating that “her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024.”
Melissa is asking for privacy at this time.
In a statement shared by People, Melissa’s rep, Ame Van Iden, said, “Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time. Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online — including AI-generated deepfakes of her ‘breaking her silence’ — should not be treated as coming from her.”
The statement continued, “She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds. 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.”
Melissa is a mom to two sons who are now adults, while Timothy has three children of his own.
Meanwhile, Timothy has maintained his innocence.
Before turning himself in, Timothy released a video to TMZ denying the allegations against him, saying, “I did not do anything to those little boys.”
“I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I’m gonna confront these lies. They’re horrible,” he said, adding, “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. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you.”
