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Melissa Gilbert Claims Husband Timothy Busfield 'Innocent' of Child Sex Crime Charges
Timothy Busfield's Indictment and Wife's "Innocence" Claim
Actress Melissa Gilbert has spoken out for the first time since her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, was indicted on child sexual contact charges. In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Gilbert vehemently asserted her husband's innocence, describing the situation as the "most traumatizing experience" of their lives. She emphasized her "absolute" belief in her husband. Busfield was indicted by an Albuquerque grand jury in February on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor, and he has pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled for next year. Busfield is accused of inappropriately touching a child actor on the set of a TV show he was directing, called 'The Cleaning Lady'.
Conflicting Accounts from Prosecution and Defense
Busfield's attorneys allege that the parents of twin child actors on the show fabricated the claims for revenge after their children were not rehired. The defense highlighted that the children initially stated no inappropriate contact occurred and suggested parental influence in later interviews. Conversely, the prosecution maintains that the alleged touching was first reported by a therapist, not the parents, and that the child reported having nightmares about the director touching him and waking up scared. The Bernalillo County District Attorney stated that a neutral grand jury indicted Busfield, and their office proceeds only when a "good faith basis exists to prosecute." Melissa Gilbert clarified that she was aware of past allegations against her husband and discussed them with him, hearing his side of the story, which she believes to be the truth, reinforcing her unwavering trust.
*Source: YouTube: ABC News (2026-04-07)*
