{"id":568010,"date":"2026-04-06T14:47:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/568010\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T14:47:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:47:08","slug":"melissa-gilbert-defends-timothy-busfield-from-child-sex-abuse-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/568010\/","title":{"rendered":"Melissa Gilbert Defends Timothy Busfield From Child Sex Abuse Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tMelissa Gilbert<\/a> spoke out for the first time about her husband Timothy Busfield<\/a>\u2018s recent arrest on charges of child sexual contact. The April 6 \u201cGood Morning America\u201d episode aired Monday morning, with Gilbert getting emotional during her chat with George Stephanopoulos.<\/p>\n

\n\tGilbert, best known for her work as a child star on \u201cLittle House on the Prairie,\u201d said that she completely believes that Busfield is innocent. The most recent allegation came while Busfield, best known for his acting work, including a role on \u201cThe West Wing,\u201d was directing the television show \u201cThe Cleaning Lady\u201d in Albuquerque, when he was accused of inappropriately touching a child actor on set.<\/p>\n

\n\tBusfield was indicted by a grand jury<\/a> on Feb. 6 in New Mexico on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child. Busfield has maintained his innocence and is free until his upcoming trial.<\/p>\n

\n\tGilbert also defends his innocence.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI know this man in my bones. No one knows him better than I do. I know literally everything about him. Our marriage has had a lot of ups and downs, we\u2019ve been through our struggles, we\u2019ve had our own issues to deal with, and we\u2019ve worked through everything. He is nothing if not completely honest with me. I trust him with my children\u2019s lives, I trust him with my grandchildren\u2019s lives, my nieces and nephews. He is an honorable, caring, generous human being,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\n\tGilbert said that her life with Busfield, who she married in 2013, is forever changed as a result of these allegations.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cOur life as we knew it is done. We are grieving what we had. All of our plans, all of our dreams, all of our ideas, all of our projects,\u201d Gilbert said. \u201cFor Tim, it\u2019s done. He\u2019s canceled \u2026 even if he\u2019s exonerated, he will always be that guy. The last person in the world who would hurt a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cBelieve me, if I thought for a second that Tim Busfield hurt a child, he\u2019d have a lot more to worry about than prison,\u201d she said later.<\/p>\n

\n\tWatch the full interview below.<\/p>\n

Melissa Gilbert sits down with @ABC<\/a> News’ George Stephanopoulos in her first interview since her husband, Timothy Busfield, was charged with criminal sexual contact of a minor, stemming from his work as a director. pic.twitter.com\/48CCxiMrE2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Good Morning America (@GMA) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n