Melissa Gilbert has publicly defended her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, after he was charged with child sexual abuse in New Mexico. In an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, the former Little House on the Prairie star called Busfield 'the last person in the world who would hurt a child.'
Busfield, 68, faces four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, allegedly committed between November 2022 and spring 2024 on the set of The Cleaning Lady. The charges involve inappropriate touching of a boy at ages seven and eight, with the victim's twin brother also reporting similar incidents.
Gilbert described the situation as 'the most traumatizing experience of our lives,' adding that even if exonerated, Busfield will 'always be that guy.' Busfield has pleaded not guilty and dismissed the accusations as 'all lies.'
Prosecutors have cited a pattern of misconduct, including a 1994 allegation from a 17-year-old extra on Little Big League, which Busfield settled privately, and a 2012 fondling claim that did not lead to charges. Busfield is scheduled for trial in May 2027.
