Melissa Gilbert quietly returned to Instagram this week after months away from social media. The actress’s comeback post arrived while her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, continues battling serious child sexual abuse allegations in court.
Gilbert had largely disappeared online earlier this year after Busfield’s January arrest shocked longtime fans of both actors.
Melissa Gilbert returns online while Timothy Busfield remains jailed for alleged sexual crimes
“The Little House on the Prairie” star shared her first Instagram post since January on Tuesday while promoting her lifestyle company, Modern Prairie. The upload featured photos of Gilbert alongside co-founder Nicole Haase, including a pair of crochet dolls modeled after the duo.
“That’s right. I’m back,” Gilbert wrote in the caption before teasing an upcoming Instagram Live connected to the company’s new “Get in the Picture” campaign.
Gilbert had previously deactivated her personal social media accounts shortly after Busfield was accused of inappropriate conduct involving two child actors connected to Fox’s “The Cleaning Lady.” According to reports, Busfield allegedly inappropriately touched 11-year-old twin boys while working as a director and executive producer on the series between 2022 and 2024.
The actor has strongly denied the allegations.
Busfield was formally charged in February with four counts of criminal sexual contact involving a child under 13 years old. He later pleaded not guilty, and his trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 10, 2027.
Despite the intense public scrutiny surrounding the case, Gilbert has continued standing firmly beside her husband.
During a recent “Good Morning America” interview, the actress revealed she was aware of previous allegations involving Busfield before they married in 2013. Gilbert insisted she believed his version of events and described him as “the last person in the world who would hurt a child.”
At the same time, she admitted the accusations have dramatically changed their lives. “Our life as we knew it is done,” Gilbert said during the interview. “Even if he’s exonerated, he will always be that guy.”
Meanwhile, Gilbert has slowly started reappearing in content tied to Modern Prairie over the last few months. In one recent video shared by the brand, the actress celebrated her 62nd birthday while hinting at making a wish for better days ahead.
“As many of you know, I stepped away for a little while to focus on my family,” Gilbert previously explained to followers.
TELL US — DO YOU THINK MELISSA GILBERT’S RETURN TO INSTAGRAM WILL SPARK MORE PUBLIC SCRUTINY?
