An audio recording has surfaced, capturing Melissa Gilbert lashing out on the parents of two children who accused her husband, Timothy Busfield, of sexual abuse.
The furious footage of the actress was released after she gave her first interview since Busfield’s temporary arrest, saying their life is “done,” even when the actor is cleared of the fees.
Melissa Gilbert noted that she didn’t speak out before now to honor the request of his lawyers, but decided to handle the situation now because they’ve been “hearing and reading an excessive amount of untruth.”
Melissa Gilbert Joined Her Husband For A Police Interview Months Before His Arrest
Gilbert went off on the parents of two children who accused her husband, Busfield, of abuse.
The actor-director was arrested briefly after being officially charged with child sex abuse on January 9, in reference to the alleged incidents involving minors, that are said to have occurred on the set of Fox’s “The Cleansing Lady.”
In a November 2025 interview with Albuquerque Police detective Marvin Brown, the “Little House on the Prairie” star joined her husband for the session and sounded offended while addressing the parents of her husband’s accusers.
“You’re here with my wife, Melissa Gilbert, and I,” Busfield tells the detective on the decision before Brown goes ahead to read him his Miranda rights.
Elsewhere of their conversation, the actor told the detective that he was never alone with the boys and that each one he desired to do was to create a playful environment on the set of the film.
“It’s ridiculous that I might ever be inappropriate with the little boys,” Busfield said within the recording obtained by USA Today.
The Actress Slammed Parents Of Her Husband’s Accusers While Defending His Approach To Creating A Playful Environment
Throughout the interview, Gilbert defended her husband and shared her belief that the case won’t help the alleged victims/
“It’s cruel, and it’s vindictive, and it’s disgusting. And for my part, that does nothing to assist these children. It only hurts them,” she told the cop.
The actress seemingly approved of the way in which Busfield handled things on the set of the film, as she described it as friendly, while also explaining that he only desired to make them comfortable.
“It’s really vital that the children feel comfortable with the people they’re working with. So, it’s just standard practice to turn out to be as friendly with them as possible in order that they trust you, so that they open up on screen,” she told Brown. “I all the time admired the way in which Tim works with children because he makes them so comfortable.”
Melissa Gilbert Hinted That She And Timothy Busfield Used To Be Close With The Parents
Gilbert hinted that she and her husband was near the parents of the boys, and would often host forged parties of their house that had the boys and their parents in attendance. Sometimes, they’ll also attend other parties hosted by the families of other forged and crew members.
“Lovely boys. They’re boys,” she said. “They’re cute, fun little boys. I mean, I’ve Christmas shopped for them. I do know them.”
“These are good kids,” Busfield added. “These are good kids.”
The couple then blamed the parents for what they imagine is a legal witch hunt, particularly since the boys were recast sooner or later, causing them to lose out on the cash they were being paid.
“It’s Warner Brothers Safety Protocol because it might be legally … that establishes that precedent where you’re never alone (with children),” Busfield stated.
Timothy Busfield Said There Was ‘No Protocol’ For Touching Children On Set
The actor noted that there was no protocol for touching children on set, and he didn’t particularly need one as he hoped to advertise a “playful environment.”
“Whether I’d tickle the children or tell them they did an awesome job, it was like a coach. I might treat them like a coach. That was my job. Great on this, great on that, all positive,” he told police.
When asked if he tickled or hugged the kids on set, Busfield replied: “I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, nevertheless it wouldn’t be unusual for me to.”
“What’s the protocol for touching children and picking them up and touching?” Brown asked him.
“It’s not not allowed in any respect. There’s no protocol. I mean, I’m all the time around people. It might be in front of the parents. There would never (be) a weird moment about it. I don’t really remember picking those boys up,” Busfield said. “It’s disgusting. Never anything of any sexual, any weird ever with them. Just that’s disgusting.”
Busfield has since denied the fees brought against him. On February 6, a Recent Mexico grand jury formally charged him with 4 counts of criminal sexual contact involving a baby. His trial is now set for May 2027.
Melissa Gilbert Calls Her Husband’s Side Of The Story ‘The Truth’
The actress recently sat for an interview on “Good Morning America,” where she lamented the controversy plaguing her husband.
“Our life, as we knew it, is completed,” she said. “We’re 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. Even when he’s exonerated, he’ll all the time be that guy.”
Throughout the interview, hosted by George Stephanopoulos, the actress also admitted that the accusations weren’t latest to her, noting she married Busfield fully aware of the past allegations.
“When Tim and I got together, the web existed. I didn’t go into my relationship blind. I’m neither naive nor am I complicit,” Gilbert said, per The Blast.
She continued, “I talked to him about it. I asked him questions on it. I heard his side of the story — which no one has ever heard — which is the reality. And when the time is correct, and that shouldn’t be now, Tim will tell the reality of all of those past allegations when he must.”