Melissa Gilbert is grappling with what she describes as a “nightmare” following serious accusations against her husband of 12 years, Timothy Busfield.
Busfield, 68, was taken into custody on January 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, facing charges that include two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.
The “Little House on the Prairie” star, 61, is reportedly very worried about Busfield’s wellbeing as he remains detained at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. A source told People that Gilbert is deeply concerned for his safety.
“She wants him out to ensure he stays safe,” the source explained, noting that the facility where Busfield is being held has received complaints about safety issues.
Gilbert, who famously portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder on the NBC series from 1974 to 1983, is dedicated to securing Busfield’s release from jail this week. She plans to be in New Mexico as the legal proceedings unfold.
“The past week has been a nightmare for Melissa,” the source added.
Melissa Gilbert, 61, feels like she’s in the midst of a ‘nightmare’ amid a spate of allegations aimed at her husband of 12 years, Timothy Busfield, 68. Pictured in 2023 in Monaco
The source spoke to the outlet a day before a pretrial detention hearing Tuesday, in which a judge will rule whether Busfield has to remain in custody for the time being.
The judge will also rule on what conditions Busfield would have to agree to should be be offered a potential release ahead of a trial.
Following that process, the charges against Busfield will be formally announced, and the actor will be arraigned on the trio of counts he faces.
Gilbert penned a letter to the judge submit to the court Friday, in which she complimented her spouse on a number of fronts.
‘The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,’ Gilbert told the court. ‘He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.’
She added, ‘I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way.
‘Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion.’
Gilbert said in the letter addressed to the court: ‘I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me. I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over. I can’t help it.
Timothy Busfield will be digitally edited out of the forthcoming Amazon MGM film You Deserve Each Other in the wake of child sex abuse allegations that led to his arrest earlier this month. Pictured in 2022 in New Jersey
Busfield turned himself in to authorities in New Mexico on January 13 amid the allegations
‘I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband.
‘As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart, I am relying on your to protect him for me.’
Gilbert’s publicist Ame Van Iden said in a statement to Daily Mail, ‘Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time.
‘Any purported “statements” circulating online – including AI-generated deepfakes of her “breaking her silence” – should not be treated as coming from her.’
Van Iden said Gilbert ‘is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.
‘During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.’
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said the actor could face up to 15 years in custody if convicted on all counts.
The judge ordered Busfield to be held on no bond during a hearing on Wednesday, which came after Busfield surrendered himself to authorities the previous day. Police in Albuquerque had issued an arrest warrant for the actor, who made a video declaring his innocence prior to surrendering himself.
Busfield could face up to 15 years in custody if convicted on all counts. Pictured 2023
Producers have not yet issued a release date for the forthcoming Amazon MGM film
Reports on Monday indicated Busfield will be digitally edited out of the forthcoming Amazon MGM film You Deserve Each Other in the wake of his arrest.
The story of the movie, according to a log line, ‘follows an engaged couple who have fallen out of love and try to sabotage each other into calling off their wedding, only to fall back in love in the process.’
Production on the romantic comedy – which also stars Penn Badgley, Justin Long, Natalie Morales, Hope Davis, Kyle MacLachlan and Ana Gasteyer – has ended, insiders told The Hollywood Reporter Monday.
The Emmy Award-winning actor appeared in You Deserve Each Other playing the role of Bernie, the father of Meghann Fahy’s character Naomi, for filmmakers Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein.
Without reshoots, editors will have to use digital technology to remove Busfield from the scenes he appeared in. Producers have not yet issued a release date for the film, which is based off author Sarah Hogle’s 2020 book.
Daily Mail has reached out to Busfield’s lawyer and reps for Amazon MGM for further comment on the story.
The Lansing, Michigan-born actor has appeared in films including Field of Dreams, Little Big League and Revenge of the Nerds; and on TV shows such as The West Wing and Thirtysomething.
Busfield’s also racked up multiple credits as a director, having worked extensively behind the lens on shows such as The Client List, The Night Shift and Designated Survivor.
The allegations against Busfield involves two child actors, ages seven and eight, stemming from his work on the New Mexico set of TV series The Cleaning Lady.
Gilbert penned a letter to the judge submit to the court Friday, in which she complimented her spouse on a number of fronts. Pictured 2023
Busfield is a producer on The Cleaning Lady and directed six episodes between 2022 and 2025.
The parents of the children, Angele LaSalle and Ronald Rodis, informed authorities of the allegations, which Busfield denies.
Busfield took jabs at the past of his accusers and their trustworthiness in recently legal filings, according to TMZ. He said that LaSalle and Rodis concocted the allegations as a means of getting back at him after their sons were replaced on the television show two years ago.
Busfield told police during an interview on the topic that actress Elodie Yung informed him that LaSalle vowed to get her ‘revenge on Tim Busfield for not bringing her kids back for the final season.’
On Friday, Busfield’s legal team urged a court in New Mexico, where the TV show was filmed, to release the actor from custody pending the outcome of the charges.
Busfield’s legal team cited an independent probe that cast doubt on the allegations made by prosecutors, the AP reported.
Attorneys for Busfield said that his accusers’ parents have a checkered past, while he has passed polygraph tests on the topics at hand.
