“This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters,” Gilbert wrote.

Melissa Gilbert speaks out amid husband Timothy Busfield’s child sex abuse charges: ‘Extraordinarily difficult time’

"This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters," Gilbert wrote.

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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January 26, 2026 3:39 p.m. ET

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Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield in 2023. Credit:

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty

Melissa Gilbert is thanking her social media supporters for their continued comfort as she supports her husband of 12 years, Timothy Busfield, amid his charges of child sexual abuse.

On Monday, Gilbert — the co-founder and "brand muse" of the lifestyle company Modern Prairie — took to the brand's social media account to send a message to fans days after she sat in on Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing last Tuesday.

"I'm sending you all my love and gratitude during this extraordinarily difficult time," Gilbert wrote in her message. "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."

Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield in 2022.

Arturo Holmes/Getty

She continued, "This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters, and allow ourselves moments of rest. 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."

Gilbert thanked her fans for their "love, patience, and support," sharing her gratitude for them "helping me to feel safer, more grounded, and deeply held by this extraordinary community of women here at Modern Prairie."

"I'll be easing back into things thoughtfully and with care — moving forward one step at a time," she concluded the post that featured a photo of her sitting on a couch with a mug filled with tea. "More to come, and so much gratitude always."

Earlier this month, Busfield surrendered to New Mexico authorities, after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Jan. 10 for allegations stemming back to 2022. The *Thirtysomething *and *West Wing *actor is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys, with whom he starred on the Fox series *The Cleaning Lady*, though his main role on the series was as an executive producer.

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Gilbert has been firm in her support for Busfield since the allegations went public. On Jan. 13, the actress shared her first statement in support of her husband, with a representative telling * *that Gilbert's "focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time."

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Then on Jan. 17, EW obtained a filing from Busfield's attorneys containing 75 letters of support of the *Thirtysomething *alum from the likes of Gilbert and several of his costars on that series, like Peter Horton and Ken Olin.

"This is the strangest letter I've ever had to write," Gilbert noted in her letter, adding that Busfield "has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known" and has "dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others."**

Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert at the Harvey Theater in New York in 2020.

Lars Niki/Getty

The day after he surrendered to New Mexico authorities, Busfield was hit with another allegation of sexual abuse. **

The new motion, viewed by EW, alleges that while auditioning a 16-year-old girl for a production at Sacramento's B Street Theatre, Busfield "kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates." Busfield founded the theater in 1986 under the name Theatre for Children. **

During Busfield's Tuesday hearing in a court in Bernalillo County, N.M., a judge ruled that the *West Wing *star would not stay in custody prior to the start of his trial. The judge also ordered that Busfield have no unsupervised contact with any minors, refrain from consuming any alcohol or illegal drugs, and could not contact the alleged victims or their families.

Busfield could face at least three years in state prison if found guilty of the alleged child abuse.

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