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Melissa Gilbert became visibly emotional as she spoke out about the devastating personal fallout following her husband Timothy Busfield’s legal troubles.
In her first interview since Busfield, 68, was arrested in January on allegations of child sexual abuse, the Little House on the Prairie star, 61, opened up to Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos.
Busfield has been accused of inappropriately touching two twin boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady while filming in Albuquerque between November 2022 and spring 2024. He has denied all charges.
After turning himself in, Busfield was released from custody, a moment that brought Gilbert to tears, as she wept with relief when a judge allowed him to walk free.
Busfield has since been indicted on four counts of sexual contact with a child by a grand jury.
In a teaser released Thursday for GMA's upcoming interview, set to air on April 6, Gilbert described the ordeal as 'hell,' adding that it had been 'the most traumatizing experience of our lives,' per People.
Melissa Gilbert became emotional in her first interview since her husband Timothy Busfield’s January arrest on child sexual abuse allegations, speaking out about the personal fallout
Busfield has been accused of inappropriately touching two twin boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady while filming in Albuquerque between November 2022 and spring 2024 - he has denied all charges; (Busfield pictured in January)
Gilbert went on to express the profound sense of loss she’s feeling.
'Our life as we knew it is done,' she said. 'We are grieving what we had - all of our plans, all of our dreams, all of our ideas, all of our projects.'
She continued, 'For Tim, it's done. He's canceled. Even if he's exonerated, he will always be that guy.'
Gilbert then emphasized her belief in her husband's innocence, saying, '[He’s] the last person in the world who would hurt a child.
'And believe me, if I thought for a second that Tim Busfield hurt a child, he'd have a lot more to worry about than prison.'
The teaser for Gilbert’s emotional interview comes after the actress returned to her role as Chief Creative Officer at her lifestyle brand Modern Prairie, following a brief hiatus to ‘focus on my family’ amid the ongoing scandal.
In a video announcing her return, Gilbert emphasized that while her work did not distract from the challenges her family has been facing, she was deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and ‘prayers’ she received throughout the trial.
‘Hi everyone. I wanted to take a moment to speak to you directly,’ Gilbert said in the Instagram video, filmed from the comfort of her home. ‘As many of you know, I stepped away for a little while to focus on my family. It was time I needed, time to be present, to tend to what matters most and to gather my strength in a season that has not been easy.’
In a teaser released Thursday for GMA's upcoming interview, set to air on April 6, Gilbert described the ordeal as 'hell,' adding that it had been 'the most traumatizing experience of our lives'
'Our life as we knew it is done,' she said, adding, 'We are grieving what we had - all of our plans, all of our dreams, all of our ideas, all of our projects'
She continued, 'For Tim, it's done. He's canceled. Even if he's exonerated, he will always be that guy'; (pictured 2020)
She added, ‘Family is everything to me, and during this incredibly difficult time, I leaned into that truth fully. But something else carried me too - You did. This extraordinary community at Modern Prairie, you wrapped me in love. Even when I was quiet, I felt your prayers, I felt your encouragement, I felt your steady presence.’
Gilbert has stood resolutely by her husband, whom she married in April 2013, since he turned himself in to authorities on 13 January.
She was there in the courtroom on January 20, surrounded by her mother, Barbara Cowan, her son Michael Boxleitner, and Busfield’s civil attorney, Larry Stein.
When the judge ruled that Busfield could be released on his own recognizance, a teary-eyed Gilbert clasped her hands together and whispered, ‘Thank you, God.’
Busfield’s release came with strict conditions: he must attend all court hearings, stay in contact with the court, and is forbidden from contacting the alleged victims or any minors.
He is also prohibited from possessing firearms, alcohol, or drugs.
In February, Busfield was indicted on four counts of sexual contact with a child by a grand jury.
The case is being prosecuted by the Special Victims Unit of the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, with DA Sam Bregman pledging to ‘do everything possible to protect children and ensure justice for victims.’
Gilbert was there in the courtroom on January 20 when the judge ruled that Busfield could be released on his own recognizance
According to court documents, one of the alleged victims revealed during therapy that he had been inappropriately touched by Busfield, a statement supported by medical findings.
Despite the claims, Busfield has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them ‘lies’ and vowing to fight them in court.
During Busfield’s court hearing, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch stated that the evidence against him was ‘strong and specific,’ further adding that witnesses expressed concerns about potential retaliation and professional harm.
The defense, however, has contested the allegations, arguing that the children initially denied any inappropriate contact with Busfield during police interviews.
They’ve also suggested that the boys’ parents may have coached them to make incriminating statements after they lost roles on The Cleaning Lady.
Busfield has submitted character references and passed an independent polygraph test, which, though controversial, may be used in New Mexico courts.
Known for his roles in The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, Busfield now faces a legal battle that will determine his future.
English (US) ·