Melissa Gilbert's 'Sick With Worry' Ordeal Ends as Husband Timothy Busfield Released
Melissa Gilbert, the beloved star of Little House on the Prairie, has endured a harrowing week of anxiety over her husband's safety while he was incarcerated. The 61-year-old actress was reportedly 'sick with worry' about what might happen to Timothy Busfield, the 68-year-old actor known for The West Wing and thirtysomething, during his seven-day stint in a New Mexico jail. According to sources speaking to People magazine, Gilbert's fears were palpable as she navigated what she described as a 'nightmare' following Busfield's arrest on January 13.
Emotional Court Hearing Brings Temporary Relief
The tense atmosphere in the courtroom on January 20 culminated in a moment of profound emotion for Gilbert. When the judge ruled that Busfield should be released on his own recognizance, a tearful Gilbert clasped her hands and whispered, 'Thank you, God.' This decision came after a week of intense legal proceedings and emotional turmoil for the couple, who have been married since April 2013. Gilbert was accompanied in court by her 89-year-old mother Barbara Cowan, her 30-year-old son Michael Boxleitner, and Busfield's civil lawyer Larry Stein.
A source close to the situation revealed to People that 'the court hearing was obviously very emotional and stressful.' They added, 'Things are clearly far from over, but the main focus of getting Tim out of jail was accomplished. They’re both very grateful. Melissa has been sick with worry that something would happen to him in jail.' This concern was heightened by reports of safety issues at the detention facility where Busfield was held.
Strict Conditions Accompany Busfield's Release
While Busfield's release from custody marks a significant development, it comes with a stringent set of conditions imposed by the court. The actor is permitted to leave New Mexico and return home, but he must adhere to the following requirements:
- Appear at all future court proceedings without fail
- Keep the court continuously informed of his whereabouts
- Remain under the supervision of Albuquerque pretrial services
- Have no contact whatsoever with the alleged victims or their families
- Avoid any unsupervised contact with minor children
- Refrain from possessing firearms, weapons, alcohol, or illegal drugs
These conditions underscore the serious nature of the charges against Busfield, who faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor under 13 and one count of child abuse. The allegations stem from incidents involving twin boys, aged seven and eight at the time, who were child actors on the set of Fox's The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed between 2022 and 2024.
Gilbert's Unwavering Support and Emotional Plea
Throughout this ordeal, Melissa Gilbert has remained steadfast in her support of her husband, firmly believing in his innocence. In an emotional letter to the judge overseeing the case, Gilbert poured out her feelings about the man she describes as 'my love, my rock, my partner in business and life.' She wrote passionately about Busfield's character, stating, 'Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others.'
Gilbert's letter took a poignant turn as she expressed her helplessness, writing, '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.' She concluded with a heartfelt plea to the judge: 'I am relying on you to protect him for me.'
Legal Battle Ahead Despite Temporary Reprieve
Despite the relief of Busfield's release, both he and Gilbert understand that the legal battle is far from concluded. Busfield has vehemently denied all charges, telling TMZ in a video statement, 'They're all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated.'
The couple is reportedly formulating a defense strategy with their legal team while leaning on what a source describes as 'this huge group of friends that support and check in on them every day.' Gilbert has expressed deep gratitude for this support network during what remains an extremely challenging time.
Busfield's civil lawyer, Larry Stein, acknowledged the mixed emotions following the release, telling People that while his clients were 'extremely relieved' by the judge's ruling, they remain 'still in shock' and 'still distressed,' taking things 'one day at a time.' Gilbert has committed to attending all future court hearings alongside her husband as they navigate the ongoing legal proceedings.
