As a high-profile legal case unfolds in New Mexico, actress Melissa Gilbert is retreating from the spotlight and closing ranks around her family.
According to the New York Post, Gilbert, best known for her role on Little House on the Prairie, is standing by her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, after he surrendered to authorities in Albuquerque on child sex abuse charges tied to his work on the television series The Cleaning Lady.
Busfield turned himself in on Tuesday after a warrant was issued accusing him of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys while directing the FOX show in 2024.
The case has drawn intense public scrutiny due to Busfield’s Hollywood résumé and Gilbert’s own celebrity.
In a statement released through her representative, Gilbert made clear she will not be addressing the allegations publicly at this time.
“Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time,” her representative, Ame Van Iden, said in a statement to The Post.
“Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online — including AI-generated deepfakes on her ‘breaking her silence’ — should not be treated as coming from her. 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.”
Busfield, 68, is facing two counts of criminal misconduct against a minor — one for each child — as well as a child abuse charge, according to the warrant issued by New Mexico police. The charges stem from allegations that he inappropriately touched one of the boys three or four times and the other five or six times.
Court documents allege the misconduct began in 2022, when the twins were just 7 years old.
Ahead of his surrender, Busfield strongly denied the accusations in a video message released by his attorney and shared with TMZ.
“I’m going to confront these lies, they’re horrible,” Busfield said in the clip.
“They are all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys. And I’m going to fight it. I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to 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.”
Busfield, who rose to fame with roles on The West Wing and Revenge of the Nerds, now faces a legal battle that could have lasting consequences.
As the case moves forward, Gilbert’s camp has made it clear that her priority remains her family and silence, while the judicial process unfolds.
