Melissa Gilbert’s husband, Timothy Busfield, remains behind bars amid allegations of child sex abuse. Now, an insider shares a new update on Little House on the Prairie actress, who is listed as a potential witness.
In January 2026, Emmy-winning director and actor Timothy Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse in New Mexico.
The charges stem from allegations that he had inappropriately touched two boys, both 11 years old, when he directed an episode of the television series The Cleaning Lady. The conduct was claimed to have occurred over a period of time.
On January 13, Busfield turned himself in to authorities and denied the allegations made against him. He’s currently held without bond in New Mexico, and prosecutors argue he should remain detained before his trial. Meanwhile, his defense challenges pretrial detention.
Busfield’s wife, Melissa Gilbert, has continued to stand fast beside her husband. The 61-year-old Little House on the Prairie actress has publicly supported her husband. She shared an emotional letter to the judge as part of the defense filings, saying how Busfield is her “love… my rock…my partner in business and life.”
Melisa Gilbert’s husband, Timothy Busfield, remains behind bars amid allegations
Still, she has refrained from making independent public comments beyond court filings. Melissa Gilbert’s name was also included on the list of potential defense witnesses.
“I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way. Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion,” Melissa Gilbert wrote in the defense filing.
She added that she went to “every single set where Tim is working,” and that “one of the great joys of my life” has been watching Busfield interact with her youngest son, Michael.
“I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me,” Gilbert continued.
“I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over. I can’t help it, I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband. 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 your to protect him for me.”
Melissa Gilbert ‘living a nightmare,’ insider says
Melissa Gilbert’s representative previously stated that she “stands with and supports her husband.” Meanwhile, a new People Magazine report, citing an insider, states that she is living a “nightmare.”
The source claimed that the Little House on the Prairie actress is concerned for her husband.
“The past week has been a nightmare for Melissa,” the insider says. “She’s very concerned about Tim in jail. She wants him out so he’s safe. The detention facility where he’s being held has safety issue complaints. Her focus is to try and get him out this week,” the insider said, adding that the 61-year-old plans on being in New Mexico this week.
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