Melissa Gilbert backs Timothy Busfield after child sexual contact charges

Actor Melissa Gilbert has publicly addressed the allegations against her husband Timothy Busfield for the first time, expressing unwavering support despite the gravity of the case.

In an emotional interview on Good Morning America, Gilbert said she fully trusts Busfield and described him as “honorable, caring” and “completely honest,” adding that she believes in his innocence. She emphasised that she would not stand by him if she thought he had harmed a child.

Busfield was indicted by a New Mexico grand jury on February 6 on four counts of criminal sexual contact involving a minor. The allegations are linked to incidents that allegedly took place while he was directing the television series The Cleaning Lady in Albuquerque. He has denied all accusations and remains free pending trial.

Gilbert described the emotional toll on their family as devastating, saying their life has been fundamentally altered. She noted that even in the event of acquittal, the long-term impact on Busfield’s reputation would be unavoidable.

The couple, who married in 2013, now face intense public scrutiny as the case unfolds. Gilbert highlighted the strength of their relationship, saying their marriage has endured challenges before and is built on deep trust and understanding.

The current case has also drawn attention to past allegations against Busfield. In the mid-1990s, a teenage extra accused him of sexual assault during the filming of Little Big League. Busfield denied the claim and filed a defamation suit, which was later settled. A separate legal dispute in 1996 resulted in a court ordering him to pay damages to a law firm involved in the case.

In 2012, another woman accused Busfield of inappropriate contact during a date; however, prosecutors declined to pursue charges, citing insufficient evidence. Busfield maintained that the interaction was consensual.

More recently, US media reported in January 2026 that a warrant had been issued in New Mexico in connection with allegations involving minors on the set of The Cleaning Lady.

Gilbert’s remarks bring a personal dimension to a high-profile legal battle, underscoring the strain such allegations place on families navigating both public attention and private crisis.