Melissa Gilbert’s Husband, Timothy Busfield, Accused Of Sexual Abuse
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.”
Busfield Responds To The Charges
TMZ was the first to report the surrender and released video footage of Busfield addressing the allegations. In the video, he maintains his innocence and tells viewers, “I’m sure most of you know … that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque. I’m here now. I got the call Friday night. I had to get a lawyer. On Saturday, I got into a car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque.”
Busfield then called the allegations “lies.”
“They’re horrible. They’re all lies. And I did not do anything to those little boys. And I’m gonna fight it,” he said. “I’m gonna fight it with a great team. And I’m gonna be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Melissa Gilbert, who has been married to Busfield since 2013, reacted to the claims against her husband by deleting all of her social media accounts.
RELATED: New Sexual Abuse Allegation Filed Against Timothy Busfield Involving 16-Year-Old Girl
Busfield Makes His First Appearance In Court
Busfield made his first court appearance Wednesday (January 14), appearing before a judge in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
Busfield is being held without bond and will remain in custody until his pretrial detention hearing, scheduled to take place within the next five business days. His preliminary hearing must begin by January 29.
Busfield did not enter a plea, however was ordered to be held without bond. The actor’s counsel, Amber Fayerberg, also appeared with Busfield.
Watch Timothy Busfield’s court appearance below.
