Actor Timothy Busfield Arrested In Connection To Child Sex Abuse Charges
Timothy Busfield, husband of Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert, surrendered to the Albuquerque Police Department on Tuesday (January 13).
The actor was officially charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, linked to alleged misconduct involving child actors during the filming of The Cleaning Lady, according to KOAT.
Busfield turned himself in just four days after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The investigation, which began in 2024, involves twin actors who appeared on the Fox series that Busfield directed.
According to the arrest warrant, the boys, now 11, were just 7 years old at the time the alleged abuse began. The victims’ mother filed a police report in October 2025 and told Child Protective Services (CPS) that “her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024.”
Timothy’s Wife, Melissa Gilbert, Addresses Fans
In February, Melissa addressed the difficult time her family was facing. She then announced she was returning to her role as the chief creative officer of the Modern Prairie brand and community.
“As many of you know, I stepped away for a little while to focus on my family,” Gilbert said in the emotional video. “It was time I needed, time to be present, to tend to what matters most and to gather my strength in a season that has not been easy. Family is everything to me and during this incredibly difficult time, I leaned into that truth fully.”
The former actress thanked the women in her community for showing up for her in the good times and bad, saying that returning to her work does not impact her “commitment” or “resolve” to what remains ahead for her family.
“This time away reminded me of why we built this space in the first place — it’s more than products, it’s more than events, it’s more than a brand,” the 61 year old said. “It’s a lifeline, it’s a connection, it’s strength shared across kitchens, in living rooms, in hospital rooms and long phone calls. It’s dignity, it’s compassion, it’s resolve, and I am so proud to walk forward with you. So let’s get back at it, together.”
You can watch Melissa’s update below.
Melissa Sits Down For Interview Following Her Husband’s Arrest
For the first time since Timothy’s arrest, Melissa sat down with Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos for an interview. When asked what has the “whole episode been like” for Melissa and her family, she replied:
“Hell. This has been the most traumatizing experience of our lives.”
The actress said the experience has ruined their entire life as they know it.
“Our life as we knew it is done,” Melissa continued. “We are grieving what we had — all of our plans, all of our dreams, all of our ideas, all of our projects. For Tim, it’s done. He’s canceled. Even if he’s exonerated, he will always be that guy. [He’s] the last person in the world who would hurt a child. And believe me, if I thought for a second that Tim Busfield hurt a child, he’d have a lot more to worry about than prison.”
A representative for Melissa reportedly told PEOPLE that the actress and Timothy’s lawyer, Larry Stein, wanted to speak with George Stephanopoulos because she “decided it was time to sit down and clarify the facts of the case.”
The entire interview is set to air on Good Morning America on Monday, April 6th.