Melissa Gilbert Said Timothy Busfield’s Life Is ‘Done’ Even if He’s Exonerated
Melissa Gilbert continues to stand behind her husband, Timothy Busfield. In January, Busfield was arrested on charges of criminal sexual contact with children under the age of 13. Gilbert has continually defended her husband against the allegations against him. In an upcoming interview, she spoke about their lives since the arrest. While she believes in his innocence, she doesn’t think their lives will ever be the same.
The ‘West Wing’ actor faces charges of criminal sexual contact with a child
On Jan. 11, police in Albuquerque issued a warrant for Busfield. They alleged that he engaged in sexual conduct with two boys on the set of the show The Cleaning Lady. Busfield was the director, and the boys were actors.
Busfield has adamantly denied the allegations against him.
“I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer,” he said, per TMZ. “Saturday I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I’m gonna confront these lies. They’re horrible.”
In addition, he said he felt confident that he would not face prison time for the charges.
“They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it,” he said. “I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Melissa Gilbert said she does not believe the allegations against Timothy Busfield
Gilbert has defended her husband in the months since his arrest. In an upcoming interview with Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos, Gilbert said that her husband’s arrest has been the “most traumatizing experience of our lives.” She said that both of their lives are forever changed because of the charges.
“Our life as we knew it is done,” she said. “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. He’s canceled.”
Gilbert thinks the damage to his reputation will be permanent. Still, she does not believe he is guilty.
“Even if he’s exonerated, he will always be that guy,” she said. “[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.”
Melissa Gilbert responded emotionally when Timothy Busfield was released from jail
One week after he surrendered himself to police, a judge ruled that Busfield could be released from jail ahead of his trial. Despite the charges against him, the judge didn’t see him as a threat to the community.
“This defendant self-surrendered and submitted himself to this court’s jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the court order for his arrest,” the judge said. “I cannot find that the state has proven by clear and convincing evidence that there are no release conditions that would reasonably protect the safety of any younger person in the community.”
Following the decision, Gilbert started to cry and whisper, “Thank you, God.” Busfield’s trial is currently scheduled for May 2027.
