Melissa Gilbert Defends Timothy Busfield In Interview

Melissa Gilbert is breaking her silence regarding the multiple child sex abuse charges against her husband Timothy Busfield in an upcoming interview, where the long-time actress doubles down on her support for him following his January arrest.

Gilbert has maintained her husband’s innocence throughout his arrest, detainment, release pending trial, and ultimate indictment for allegedly abusing two minor boys while directing Fox’s “The Cleaning Lady.”

Melissa Gilbert Voices Unwavering Support For Husband Timothy Busfield In Upcoming ‘GMA’ Interview

On Monday, April 6, ABC will air Gilbert’s sit-down interview with George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America,” but a first-look exclusive from PEOPLE shows the “Little House on the Prairie” star coming to husband Busfield’s defense.

“This has been the most traumatizing experience of our lives,” Gilbert tells Stephanopoulos before noting how Busfield’s arrest has forever changed their lives.

“Our life as we knew it is done,” she admits. “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,” Gilbert continues in the clip, as she stands firm in her defense of him. “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.”

Gilbert is accompanied in the interview alongside Busfield’s attorney Larry Stein.

Gilbert Previously Addressed Her Supporters On Social Media In February 2026 Following Busfield’s Indictment

The actress marked her return to her company, Modern Prairie, with a video posted to Instagram on February 16, where she thanked her fans.

“As many of you know, I stepped away for a little while to focus on my family,” Gilbert said. “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,” she continued before thanking her supporters.

“But something else carried me too: You did. This extraordinary community at Modern Prairie, you wrapped me in love. Even when I was quiet, I felt your prayers, I felt your encouragement, I felt your steady presence,” Gilbert continued.

She also stressed that returning to the company does not mean that she is taking her family’s legal troubles lightly.

“Coming back to work does not change my commitment or my resolve to the journey that lies ahead for my family — that remains steadfast, that remains my heart,” Gilbert said.

“But it is important for me to step back into this work. It strengthens my mindset, it gives me purpose, it reminds me of who I am beyond hard days,” she added.

The Actress Was One Of Multiple Celebrities Who Wrote Letter Of Support Prior To Busfield’s Jail Release

During the court proceedings to determine whether or not Busfield would be released from jail, Gilbert was visibly emotional as she sat alongside family members at the hearing.

Once the judge announced his decision to release Busfield from custody with restrictions, the actress was seen clasping her hands together and saying, “Thank you, God.”

Ahead of the hearing, Gilbert and some of Busfield’s former co-stars all wrote letters of support for him, with her written declaration pleading with the judge to protect him while in custody.

“I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has,” Gilbert’s letter read, while emphasizing that he has the “strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known…He starts every day with kindness and compassion.”

“Please, please, take care of my sweet husband. As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now, and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart. I am relying on you to protect him for me,” she continued.

Timothy Busfield’s Trial Date Has Been Confirmed

According to PEOPLE, on March 11, via his criminal defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, it was confirmed that Timothy Busfield will formally stand trial beginning in May 2027. 

The court proceedings are reportedly set to last for three weeks and will be held in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, courtroom of Judge Joseph Montano.

Busfield has been out of jail since January pending trial, and is currently back home with his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, who has publicly defended him since the allegations were revealed.

The ‘Thirtysomething’ Star Was Indicted On Multiple Felony Count In January 2026

Busfield was indicted by the Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, which are all classified as third-degree felonies.

“As with all criminal proceedings, Mr. Busfield is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” Bregman said via statement following the indictment announcement. “This case will proceed through the judicial process and is expected to move forward to trial.”

“The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to doing everything possible to protect children and ensure justice for victims across New Mexico,” the statement added.