Actress Melissa Gilbert broke her silence following the child sex abuse charges against her husband, Timothy Busfield.
The “Little House on the Prairie” star and former SAG-AFTRA president posted a lengthy message alongside a photo of her sitting on a couch with a cup of coffee, looking off camera.
“I’m sending you all my love and gratitude during this extraordinarily difficult time. Not only for Tim, me and our family, but in the collective heaviness so many of us seem to be carrying right now. Add an unexpected storm to the mix, and it can all feel like a bit too much,” she wrote on the account for her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie.
Two weeks ago, Gilbert’s personal social media page was deactivated after authorities issued an arrest warrant alleging her husband engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors, twin brothers, on the Albuquerque set of the Fox crime series “The Cleaning Lady,” for which he directed multiple episodes.
“This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters, and allow ourselves moments of rest,” she continued in Monday’s Instagram post. “Stepping back from the noise, the news, and even our daily responsibilities from time to time gives us space to recharge, reflect, and find our center again.”
The couple have been married since 2013 and share a blended family from their previous marriages.
Gilbert, 61, thanked fans for the “love, patience, and support you continue to show” the couple: “Thank you for helping me to feel safer, more grounded, and deeply held by this extraordinary community of women here at Modern Prairie.”
Busfield, 68, surrendered to authorities on Jan. 13 and was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. The Emmy-winning star of “Thirtysomething” was released from custody in New Mexico on Jan. 20 and is awaiting trial on the charges.
“I don’t find that there’s been sufficient presentation that this defendant may commit new crimes if released pending trial,” ruled Bernalillo County District Court Judge David Murphy, citing a lack of past criminal conduct or similar allegations involving children, as well as Busfield’s voluntary surrender to the Albuquerque police days after an arrest warrant was issued.
As conditions of his release, Busfield must appear for all future court dates and is restricted from possessing firearms or dangerous weapons, consuming alcohol or illegal drugs, having contact with the alleged victims or their families, discussing the case with any witnesses or having unsupervised contact with any minors.
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