Melissa Gilbert has publicly defended her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, in her first interview since he was charged with child sexual abuse in New Mexico. In a preview of her appearance on Good Morning America, Gilbert told George Stephanopoulos that Busfield is “the last person in the world who would hurt a child”. She added that the couple's life “as we knew it is done” and that Busfield is “cancelled” even if exonerated.
Busfield, 68, faces four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child following a grand jury indictment in Albuquerque. The charges relate to incidents alleged to have occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024 on the set of the TV drama The Cleaning Lady, where he worked as a director and actor. Prosecutors claim he inappropriately touched a boy over his clothing when the child was seven and again at age eight, and also touched the boy's twin brother.
Busfield has pleaded not guilty and dismissed the accusations as “all lies” in a video to TMZ. However, court filings have detailed a history of similar allegations. In one case, he allegedly groped a 16-year-old girl during an audition at Sacramento’s B Street Theatre, a matter resolved with therapy. In 1994, a 17-year-old extra on Little Big League accused him of assault after being served alcohol; Busfield settled privately but was ordered to pay $150,000 in costs after claiming extortion.
Gilbert, 61, who married Busfield in 2013, had previously avoided speaking publicly on the advice of her lawyers. Asked why she chose to speak now, she said: “It’s time.” Busfield is due to stand trial in May 2027 and has been allowed to remain out of custody pending the proceedings.
