Actor Timothy Busfield Arrested On Sexual Abuse Charges
Timothy Busfield, the husband of Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert, turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department on January 13.
The West Wing actor is facing charges of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse in connection with alleged misconduct involving child actors during the filming of The Cleaning Lady, according to KOAT.
Busfield surrendered to authorities four days after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The investigation, which began in 2024, stems from allegations made by twin actors who appeared on the Fox series, which Busfield directed.
According to the arrest warrant, the boys, now 11, were just 7 years old at the time the alleged abuse began. The victims’ mother filed a police report in October 2025 and told Child Protective Services (CPS) that “her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024.”
Busfield addressed the charges, claiming the allegations were all “lies.”
In a video first obtained by TMZ, he maintains his innocence and tells viewers, “I’m sure most of you know … that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque. I’m here now. I got the call Friday night. I had to get a lawyer. On Saturday, I got into a car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque.”
“They’re horrible. They’re all lies. And I did not do anything to those little boys. And I’m gonna fight it,” Busfield continued. “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.”
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Melissa Gilbert Responds To Her Husband’s Charges
Melissa Gilbert, the actress who starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie,” has been married to Busfield since 2013. Gilbert reacted to the claims against her husband by deleting all of her social media accounts.
The Actress Appears The On Witness List For Busfield’s Trial
Amid the allegations, Melissa is reportedly standing by her husband. According to a court filing submitted Friday (January 16) and obtained by Fox News, the 61-year-old is listed as a potential defense witness for Busfield.
The filing also includes Busfield’s response opposing the state’s request for pretrial detention and lists 13 potential defense witnesses, including Gilbert. She also reportedly submitted a letter to the judge sharing support for her husband.
“The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life. He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family,” Gilbert wrote.
The actress argued she knows Busfield better than anyone, stating he was full of respect for others.
“Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known,” she said. “He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion.”
Gilbert also praised his role as a father, explaining that he “nurtured and guided” her son.
“This is the strangest letter I’ve ever had to write,” she continued. “So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband,” Gilbert continued. “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 you to protect him for me.”
