Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield — Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Melissa Gilbert ‘Very Concerned’ as Husband Timothy Busfield Remains in Prison — Source

January 20, 2026

Actress Melissa Gilbert is voicing concern and support for her jailed husband, Timothy Busfield. The Thirtysomething actor is behind bars in New Mexico after allegations of child sex abuse.

An arrest warrant was issued on January 9. After surrendering to New Mexico authorities on Tuesday, January 13, Timothy was charged.

Timothy Busfield faces a number of charges of sexual contact and abuse

According to PEOPLE, the Little House on the Prairie actress fears for her husband’s safety in the New Mexico jail. An insider calls the past week “a nightmare for Melissa,” adding, “The detention facility where he’s being held has safety issue complaints.” The actress hopes Timothy is released this week when she travels to New Mexico.

Timothy is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. He allegedly had unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys he was directing on FOX’s The Cleaning Lady.

His first court appearance before a judge was Wednesday, January 14, The pretrial detention hearing, scheduled for today, determines whether Timothy remains in custody until trial or is released. The West Wing actor faces up to 15 years in jail if found guilty of all charges.

A pretrial detention motion obtained by PEOPLE includes another unrelated sexual abuse allegation. On January 13, Colin Swift reported that Timothy allegedly sexually abused his daughter. This occurred many years ago in Sacramento when she auditioned for him at B Street Theatre.

Timothy denies all charges, as has his civil attorney, Larry Stein, who said, “He’s devastated and will defend himself, because these are absolutely false allegations.”

Melissa wrote a letter to the court supporting her husband, but refuses to comment publicly.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

TELL US – SHOULD MELISSA SUPPORT HER HUSBAND AT THIS TIME?

Lisa White is a writer, editor and marketing professional with more than 30 years of experience. She has worked for a number of corporations, business and consumer publications and associations in a variety of industries, including food/foodservice, retail, distribution, venues/entertainment, finance, health care and insurance. White's background includes serving as editor for four magazines and assisting in the startup of three publications. She has been an independent writer since 2001 and is based out of the Chicago area.