Melissa Gilbert Stands by Husband Timothy Busfield Amid Cancelation Controversy
Melissa Gilbert, known for her role in “Little House on the Prairie,” is standing by her husband, Timothy Busfield, amidst serious allegations. Busfield, an Emmy-winning actor, faces charges related to child sexual abuse.
Background of the Allegations Against Timothy Busfield
In February, a New Mexico grand jury indicted the 68-year-old Busfield on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. The charges arose from accusations that he inappropriately touched two young actors during his tenure on the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady.”
- The first child actor alleged multiple inappropriate touches when he was 7 years old.
- The same individual reported further incidents when he was 8.
Busfield has denied these allegations, stating that they are baseless. He suggested during a police interview that the boys’ mother might be seeking “revenge” for professional grievances.
Melissa Gilbert’s Support and Perspective
In a recent interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News, Gilbert expressed strong support for her husband. She stated, “I trust my husband with my children’s lives,” emphasizing her belief that he will be exonerated at trial next year.
Gilbert described the past months as “hell” for the couple, reflecting on the traumatic nature of the situation. She acknowledged that their lives have changed permanently due to the allegations.
The Impact on Their Family
The couple married in 2013, and Gilbert is the mother of two adult sons from previous relationships, while Busfield has three adult children from his prior marriages. She explained that the allegations have caused them to grieve their plans and dreams as a couple.
Despite the tumultuous events, Gilbert maintains hope for her husband’s future. She articulated her vision of justice as “exoneration and apology,” indicating that the case has severely impacted Busfield’s career and public perception.
Reactions and Public Statements
Busfield’s lawyer, Larry Stein, echoed Gilbert’s feelings, asserting confidence in the defense and proclaiming that the accusations are false. He criticized the credibility of the child actors and their parents without receiving comments from them regarding the allegations.
Before their marriage, Gilbert was aware of Busfield’s previous harassment accusations from 1994 and 2012. She stated, “I didn’t go into my relationship with him blind.”
Gilbert is now focused on protecting her family’s integrity and supporting Busfield during this challenging period. She hopes he will eventually share his side of the story when appropriate.
