ActressAfter Timothy Busfield turned himself in to the police on Tuesday due to claims of child sex assault, Melissa Gilbert has promised to support him.
Due to startling claims that Busfield had engaged in illegal sexual activity with 11-year-old twin boys while working on the set of The Cleaning Lady, the Albuquerque Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest five days ago.
Four days after the warrant was issued, on January 13, Busfield brought himself in. A representative for the Albuquerque Police Department confirmed on Tuesday that Busfield “turned himself in at the Metro Detention Center,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
In a video released by TMZ, the actor and director was heard refuting the accusations, saying, “I’m gonna confront these lies, they’re horrible.”
The 68-year-old is currently in detention as prosecutors decide whether to hold him pending trial, according to the most recent reports.
Melissa Gilbert, star of Little House on the Prairie, has promised to support her husband, and her representative has verified that she will “honor the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.”
“Her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment,” the statement continued.
“Melissa will speak to the public at the proper time and stands by and supports her husband.” We request that you respect their privacy.
Since 2013, the couple has been married.
Busfield has been officially charged with two charges of criminal sexual contact of a juvenile and one case of child abuse, according to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office.
According to a statement from police authorities, “Timothy Busfield is currently in custody at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.”
“He is accused of one count of child abuse and two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor (child under 13).”
The statement continues, “The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office intends to file a motion seeking to keep Mr. Busfield in custody while the case proceeds through the judicial process.”
After that, a judge will decide whether to keep Busfield in custody or release him until trial. Pretrial detention motions are frequently filed by the District Attorney’s Office in situations containing these kinds of charges.
Before he turned himself in, Busfield disputed the accusations. “Hello everyone, it’s Tim,” the Emmy-winning actor remarked in a video that went viral online. The majority of you who are viewing this are probably aware that I was told to come to Albuquerque, and I am already arrived. I had to hire a lawyer after receiving the call on Friday night. I got in the car on Saturday and traveled 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I will confront these falsehoods. They are awful.
“They’re all lies, and I didn’t do anything to those little boys, and I’m going to fight it,” he continued. I know I will be cleared since this is all lies and completely wrong, and I will fight it with a fantastic team.
“So, keep going, and hopefully I’ll be out and back to work soon,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me; I love you all.”
