Melissa Gilbert braces for ‘all scenarios’ in Timothy Busfield Scandal
Melissa Gilbert is standing by her husband as his legal battle continues. RadarOnline.com can reveal.
The actress made it clear that she is bracing for uncertainty, while still insisting she believes in his innocence.
During a new television appearance with George Stephanopoulos Good morning AmericaGilbert addressed long-standing allegations related to her husband, Timothy Busfield, and made it clear that she was aware of them early in their relationship.
“I have to make something very clear,” she said per We weekly. “These accusations have been on the air for a long time. When Tim and I got together, the internet existed. I didn’t go into my relationship with him blindly.”
She emphasized that she had had direct conversations with Busfield about the claims before they entered into a relationship.
“I’m not naive and I’m not complicit. I’ve talked to him about it, I’ve asked him questions about it. I’ve heard his side of the story – which no one has ever heard – and that’s the truth. And when the time is right, which isn’t now, Tim will tell the truth about all these past accusations when the need arises,” she continued.
Gilbert did not shy away from describing the emotional toll the situation has taken on their lives.
“Our life as we knew it is over,” she said in the interview. “We mourn what we had: all our plans, all our dreams, all our ideas, all our projects.”
She called the ordeal “the most traumatizing experience of our lives,” adding that the fallout has already had lasting effects on Busfield’s career and reputation.
‘It’s over for Tim. He canceled. Even if he is acquitted, he will always be that guy,” she said.
She also strongly defended his character, adding: “[He’s] the last person in the world who would hurt a child. And believe me, if I thought for one second that Tim Busfield was going to hurt a kid, he’d be way more worried than about going to jail.”
While expressing his unwavering support, Gilbert acknowledged the reality of the situation they face.
“I am 100 percent sure he will be acquitted,” she said, before noting, “[We] must be prepared for all scenarios.”
She pointed to the strength of their relationship as a foundation during the crisis.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, we’ve been through struggles, we’ve had our own struggles and we’ve gotten through everything,” she explained. “He’s been nothing but completely honest with me.”
Gilbert added that her trust extends deep into their family life.
“I trust him with the lives of my children, the lives of my grandchildren, my nieces and nephews. He is an honourable, caring and generous person,” she explained.
When asked what outcome she hopes for, Gilbert became emotional.
“Exoneration, an apology, release him from this cloud,” she said.
Busfield was arrested in New Mexico earlier this year after being charged with child sex abuse involving two minors in connection with a television production. He later turned himself in and denied the charges.
After his arrest, Gilbert publicly supported her husband, while his lawyer maintained his innocence and suggested the claims stemmed from personal motives related to a family dispute.
In the weeks following his arrest, Gilbert also appealed to the court to guarantee his safety in custody, describing him as “my love, my rock, my partner in business and life” and praising his “strongest moral compass”.
Busfield has since been released. He was later indicted on multiple counts and has pleaded not guilty. His trial is currently scheduled for May 2027.
