Melissa Gilbert is navigating an intensely emotional period as serious criminal allegations against her husband, Timothy Busfield, place their family under immense strain.
The actress has been pulled right into a fast-moving legal process unfolding in Latest Mexico, marked by detention hearings, court filings, and public attention.
As Busfield stays behind bars awaiting key judicial decisions, Gilbert has focused on his safety, formally supporting him through the courts while keeping her public silence intact.
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Melissa Gilbert Is Living A ‘Nightmare’ As A Source Details Her Fear For Her Husband’s Safety
Gilbert is alleged to be “very concerned about Tim in jail” as Busfield stays held on the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, Latest Mexico, based on a source who spoke to PEOPLE.
The source said Gilbert “wants him out so he’s protected,” citing concerns concerning the facility, which reportedly “has safety issue complaints.”
Busfield was booked on January 13 in reference to two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of kid abuse.
The source told the publication that Gilbert has been focused on attempting to get Busfield released and planned to be in Latest Mexico as his legal case moves forward.
“The past week has been a nightmare for Melissa,” the source said, describing the emotional toll on the actress.
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Gilbert Prepares For Court Decisions That Could Shape Busfield’s Future
The urgency surrounding Timothy Busfield’s case intensified ahead of a pretrial detention hearing, during which a judge was expected to make your mind up whether he would remain in custody.
The judge was also set to rule on what conditions Busfield would wish to conform to if he were offered a possible release ahead of trial.
Following that process, the fees against Busfield were expected to be formally announced, after which the actor can be arraigned on all three counts.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman later stated that Busfield could withstand 15 years in custody if convicted on all charges.
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Gilbert Submits Emotional Letter Praising Busfield’s Character
As legal proceedings continued, Melissa Gilbert submitted a letter to the court on Friday in support of her husband.
Within the filing, she described Busfield as central to her life and family.
“The fact is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,” she wrote. “He’s my comfort and my council. His joy, humor, and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful clan.”
The 61-year-old told the judge, “I can let you know, and anyone, that I do know Tim higher and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the identical way.”
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Gilbert went on to explain the actor as having “the strongest moral compass of any human I even have ever known,” adding that he “has dedicated his spiritual self to all the time being of service to others” and “starts day by day with kindness and compassion.”
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Melissa Gilbert Admits Emotions Overtook Logic In Her Plea To The Court
In the identical letter, Gilbert acknowledged her internal struggle as she tried to balance reason with emotion.
“I’m attempting to tow a line between logic and all the emotions swirling through me,” she wrote. “I started this letter with logic, but now the emotions have taken over. I can’t help it.”
She closed the letter with a direct appeal for Timothy Busfield’s safety while in custody.
“I only want this extraordinary man protected and whole,” the actress stated. “So, I’ll close by asking you to please, please, deal with my sweet husband.”
Gilbert added, “As he’s my protector, I’m his, but I cannot protect him now, and I feel that, greater than anything, is what is actually breaking my heart, I’m counting on your [sic] to guard him for me.”
Melissa Gilbert Maintains Silence As Timothy Busfield Denies Allegations And Case Expands
Additional details emerged in court filings, including an unrelated allegation of sexual abuse made by Colin Swift, who reported that Busfield allegedly abused his daughter “several years ago” in Sacramento, California, while she was auditioning at B Street Theatre.
Busfield has denied all child sex abuse allegations. In a video obtained by TMZ shortly before turning himself in, Busfield said he planned to “confront these lies” and “fight.”
His civil attorney, Larry Stein, told PEOPLE that Busfield is “absolutely shocked” by the “false” allegation.
“He’s devastated and can defend himself, because these are absolutely false allegations,” Stein said.