Timothy Busfield was granted release on his own recognizance, as Little House on the Prairie star, Melisa Gilbert, supported him in person at a detention hearing following his arrest for alleged child sex abuse.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Judge David Murphy heard arguments from the prosecution and the defense on whether Busfield, 68, should remain detained in New Mexico pending trial, or be released on bail or his own recognizance. Murphy decided that the West Wing could await trial without being detailed or having to pay bail, NBC News reported.
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Director and actor Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (R) attend a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, N.M. (Sam Wasson/Getty Images)Gilbert, 61, arrived at the Bernalillo County Courthouse an hour before the scheduled start time of Busfield's detention hearing, the Daily Mail reported. Her face was stoic as she donned a multi-colored paisley dress, a dark red velvet blazer, and tan suede boots. She sat several rows behind her husband in the gallery, showing her support for Busfield as he was shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit.
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Melissa Gilbert, wife of director and actor Timothy Busfield, attends a hearing for Timothy Busfield in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, N.M.. (Sam Wasson/Getty Images)On Jan. 16, the LHOTP star submitted a letter to the judge asking for Busfield to be protected while in custody. "The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life," she wrote, per People. "He is 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 extended family."
Gilbert added, "I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way. She continued, "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. He starts every day with kindness and compassion."
On Jan. 13, Busfield turned himself in after the Albuquerque Police Department issued a warrant on Jan. 9 for his arrest for allegedly inappropriately touching twin 11-year-old boys while filming The Cleaning Lady. He was charged with one count of child abuse and two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Busfield has denied all allegations but was held without bond pending his court date on Jan. 20.
“They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys, and I’m gonna fight it,” Busfield said in a video obtained by TMZ on Jan. 13. “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. So hang in there, and, hopefully, I’m out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you.”
Additionally, Gilbert broke her silence after Busfield's arrest with a statement through her publicist, who noted the Laura Ingalls Wilder actress was “honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds," per ABC News.
The statement added, “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time."
Next: Melissa Gilbert Spoke Out Against Child Sex Abuse Weeks Before Husband Timothy Busfield’s Arrest Warrant
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