Melissa Gilbert continues to present her perspective three months after her husband, Timothy Busfield, was arrested on allegations of child sexual abuse.
During an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Nightline on Monday, April 6, Gilbert, 61, addressed reports about her and Busfield, 68, giving Christmas gifts to the two boys involved in the case.
“I’ll let Larry discuss the specifics regarding that part of the complaint,” Gilbert said, referring to Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, who participated in the interview alongside her.
Stein clarified, “Tim did not give the boys gifts. Melissa gave them gifts. She gave gifts to them and every other child at the Christmas party. There was no special treatment involved.”
Stein stated that the twin brothers accusing Busfield of inappropriate behavior on the Fox show The Cleaning Lady are actually “victims in this case,” suggesting that the accusations were manipulated by the boys’ parents after their roles were recast.
“The boys are victims of their parents, not Tim. … The parents saw the boys as a source of income, and when they were dismissed, they wrongly blamed Tim. However, he had no part in it,” Stein explained.
Stephanopoulos noted that the family of the alleged victims did not provide a comment before the interview aired.
In the initial segment of the interview, broadcast during the Monday episode of Good Morning America, Gilbert was questioned about past accusations against Busfield dating back to 1994 and 2012.
Melissa Gilbert remains supportive of her husband, Timothy Busfield, despite the child sex abuse charges, describing his arrest as “the most traumatizing experience of our lives” while expressing her belief in his innocence. The Little House on the Prairie star opened up in a candid interview with George Stephanopoulos that aired on April 6, […]
“I need to clarify something,” she said. “These allegations have been circulating for a long time. When Tim and I got together, the internet was already around. I didn’t enter my relationship with him without being aware. I am neither naive nor complicit. I discussed it with him, asked questions, and heard his side — which no one else has. When the time is right, and that is not now, Tim will share the truth regarding these past allegations.”
Gilbert expressed confidence in Busfield’s eventual exoneration but acknowledged they must be ready for all possible outcomes.
“We’ve faced many challenges, dealt with various issues, and worked through them. He is completely honest with me. I trust him with my children’s lives, my grandchildren’s lives, my nieces and nephews. He is a decent, caring, and generous person.”
Gilbert became emotional when asked what “justice” would mean for them, saying, “Exoneration, an apology, freeing him from this burden.” Following the broadcast, Busfield’s attorney Stein expressed gratitude to Stephanopoulos for “clarifying important facts in this case.”
UPDATE 1/21/26, 11:45 a.m. ET: Timothy Busfield’s wife, Melissa Gilbert, is celebrating his release from jail before his child sex abuse trial. Following the judge’s decision on Tuesday, January 20, Busfield’s civil attorney Larry Stein told People that the actor “feels wonderful,” as does his wife, who is “very, very excited.” Gilbert was seen in […]
“We hope the rest of the interview airing on tonight’s Nightline will clarify that the parents are criminals: one served more than three years in jail and lost their license to practice law for defrauding 1,500 people of $6,000,000, and the other for writing bad checks and stealing cars,” the statement added.
Us Weekly confirmed in January that an arrest warrant was issued for Busfield following accusations of child sexual abuse by two twin brothers on the set of The Cleaning Lady. Busfield surrendered to law enforcement shortly after and denied the allegations.
Gilbert publicly defended Busfield in a statement at that time. (Gilbert and Busfield have been married for 12 years.)
“During this time, her focus is on supporting and caring for their large family as they navigate this period,” her representative told Us. “Melissa stands by her husband and will address the public when appropriate.”
Busfield’s attorney, Stein, told Us in a statement that the actor was “innocent,” claiming that the accusers’ mother made the allegations in an effort to “get her revenge against Timothy” after her son was fired from the production.
Busfield was released from police custody in January and was indicted by a grand jury in New Mexico on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child the following month. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to begin trial in May 2027.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
