Timothy Busfield Child Abuse Allegations Met with 75 Support Letters from Melissa Gilbert and Costars

A man’s life and a 40-year career are on the line. Actor-director Timothy Busfield is mounting a vigorous defense against Timothy Busfield child abuse allegations with a wall of 75 letters from his wife, Melissa Gilbert, and Hollywood's elite.

Timothy Busfield Child Abuse Allegations: The Legal Battle

On January 17, 2026, Busfield faced a New Mexico judge following his surrender on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. According to reports from Entertainment Weekly, the judge ordered the 68-year-old actor to be held without bond until his next hearing on January 20.

Attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Dodd argue the case against Busfield has "already collapsed under independent scrutiny." They highlighted that a comprehensive investigation by Warner Bros. into allegations stemming from the series 'The Cleaning Lady' found them unfounded. Furthermore, they noted that Busfield passed a court-qualified polygraph test, challenging the State's motion for pretrial detention.

75 Letters of Character and Support

The defense has submitted a massive filing containing 75 letters of support from colleagues, family, and former students. Melissa Gilbert, in a deeply personal letter, described her husband as her "rock" and the "beating heart" of their family. She pleaded with the court to protect the man she describes as having the "strongest moral compass."

Joining Gilbert are 'Thirtysomething' costars Peter Horton and Ken Olin, along with director Edward Zwick. The defense emphasizes that the State’s case relies on witnesses with "documented histories of fraud," contrasting this with the "overwhelming evidence of character" provided by Busfield's community of decades.