Melissa Gilbert Breaks Silence on Standing by Timothy Busfield as He Faces Serious Allegations

Melissa Gilbert has chosen to stand by her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, as he faces serious criminal accusations. The information was shared through a statement released by her publicist to Entertainment Weekly.

Busfield turned himself in to police in New Mexico after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Authorities say the warrant is linked to allegations of child s** abuse. The case is now under investigation, and Busfield has been released while the legal process continues.

In the statement, Gilbert’s publicist made it clear that the actress is staying silent for now. “Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time,” publicist Ame Van Iden said. The statement also warned that any quotes or videos online claiming to show Gilbert speaking out, including AI-generated clips, should not be trusted.

According to the publicist, Gilbert is respecting the advice of her husband’s legal team and will not comment publicly while the case moves forward.

The statement added that Gilbert’s main concern right now is her family. “During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment,” it said. “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time.” The family has also asked for privacy.

Shortly after news of the arrest warrant became public, Gilbert shut down her social media accounts. She and Busfield have been married since 2013.

Court documents say two former child actors accused Busfield of inappropriate behavior while working with him on the TV series The Cleaning Lady between late 2022 and early 2024. One of the children reportedly told investigators he was touched in private areas multiple times and has since been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety.

Busfield has strongly denied the accusations. In a video shared by TMZ, he said, “I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies. And I did not do anything to those little boys.” He added that he plans to fight the case and believes he will be cleared.

According to the arrest warrant, Albuquerque Police Department officer Marvin Brown said he spoke with both Busfield and Gilbert by phone in November 2025. During that call, Busfield claimed the children’s parents were upset after their kids were not asked back for another season of the show. He also said the studio behind the series, Warner Bros., carried out its own investigation after complaints were made.

The officer noted that Busfield and Gilbert admitted they had a relationship with the children and their family outside of work. This included buying the boys gifts and attending social events together.

This is a serious and disturbing situation, and it is still unfolding. Allegations involving children deserve careful and fair investigation, while all involved deserve due process. It is also clear how deeply these cases can affect families on every level. What do you think about how public figures handle situations like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.