Melissa Gilbert has spoken publicly for the first time since her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, surrendered to authorities in New Mexico amid serious child abuse allegations. As Busfield prepares to face the charges in court, Gilbert has made it clear that her priority is protecting and supporting their family during what she described as an extremely difficult period.
Busfield turned himself in on January 13, 2026, days after an arrest warrant was issued by Albuquerque police. He is facing charges related to alleged child abuse and criminal sexual contact involving two minor boys. The allegations have drawn intense public attention, placing the longtime Hollywood couple under a harsh spotlight.
In a statement released through her representative, Gilbert said she is honoring “the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.” She added that her focus is now on their “very large family,” asking for privacy as the case moves forward. The statement emphasized that Gilbert is standing by her husband and will address the public more fully at an appropriate time.
Busfield, an Emmy-winning actor known for his work both on screen and behind the camera, surrendered at the Metro Detention Center in Albuquerque after police issued a warrant on January 9. Authorities allege the misconduct involved 11-year-old twin boys who appeared on the series The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed during its production in New Mexico. The show aired from early 2022 through mid-2025.
According to information outlined in the arrest warrant, the investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police to concerns of possible sexual abuse. Additional reports followed in 2025, including disclosures made by one of the boys to a counselor. Court documents reference claims of ongoing emotional distress, including anxiety and symptoms consistent with trauma. All allegations remain unproven, and no conviction has been made.
Busfield has forcefully denied the accusations. Speaking to reporters shortly before surrendering, he described the claims as “lies” and insisted he did not harm the children. His legal team has suggested the allegations may be retaliatory, pointing to claims that the boys’ mother was upset after her sons were written out of the show’s final season.
Warner Bros. Television reportedly launched its own independent investigation through an outside law firm. After interviewing multiple individuals connected to the production, the investigator concluded that the evidence did not substantiate the allegations, according to reports.
Gilbert, best known for her iconic role on Little House on the Prairie, married Busfield in 2013. Together, they share a blended family that includes children and grandchildren. In the days following news of the warrant, Gilbert quietly deleted her Instagram account, further signaling her desire to retreat from public view as the legal process unfolds.
As the case proceeds, public interest remains high, but both Gilbert and Busfield have emphasized restraint and privacy. For now, Gilbert’s message is focused not on headlines or speculation, but on shielding her family while the courts determine what comes next.
