Melissa Gilbert Removes Social Media Amid Husband’s Arrest

Melissa Gilberthas closed several social media accounts as reports suggest her spouse,Timothy Busfield, is being arrested on allegations of child sexual abuse.

Anyone visiting Gilbert’s official Instagram or her ThreadsAn account on Saturday, January 10, received messages indicating that neither page was available. The official Instagram account for Gilbert’s lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, remains active and has even posted.a winter-themed videoon Saturday, she wished her followers a “happy Saturday.”

On Friday, January 9, Us Weeklysecured an arrest warrant from New Mexico officials following a child actor’s claim that Busfield touched him inappropriately during their time working on a television seriesThe Cleaning Lady. (The accuser and his identical twin brother were young actors on the series while Busfield directed several episodes.)

Ushas contacted Busfield and Gilbert for their response.

Timothy Busfield Confessed There Was ‘No Procedure’ for Physical Contact with Children on Set

The accuser claimed that Busfield touched his “private areas” for the first time when he was 7 years old, with three to four incidents reported overall. The young actor remembered that Busfield touched him five or six more times during a separate incident when he was 8 years old. (The child’s mother informed Child Protective Services that the alleged incidents took place between late 2022 and the second half of 2024.)

“The boy was afraid to tell anyone because Tim was the director, and he was worried Tim would be angry with him,” an affidavit from theAlbuquerque Police Department read.

The sworn statement mentions the young performer being identified with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety as a result of the claimed distress.

As per the documents, Busfield discussed the accusations with investigators in November 2025. During that discussion, the director was reportedly questioned about whether he had engaged in “physical contact” with the children, including actions like lifting them up or tickling them.

Timothy stated it was very probable that he would have,” the police report said, but Busfield maintained there “would never be an unusual situation” and any interaction would have taken place “in the presence of the parents.

Nevertheless, the affidavit also stated that Busfield informed the authorities that he could not specifically remember picking up the boys at any point during the production.

I don’t recall those boys,” he stated, according to the affidavit. “No, I don’t. I truly don’t remember it, if it occurred. I don’t remember explicitly tickling the boys, but it wouldn’t be unusual for me to have done so.

In Busfield’s warrant, there is a referenceto the actor and director informing the OfficerMarvin Brownthat he and Gilbert, 61, purchased “the two boys Christmas presents and attended several social events together.” Officer Brown noted that Busfield “invited the family to join in on gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to build a closer relationship.”

The officer stated that this type of behavior might represent “traditional grooming to break down limits, separate the victim, and suppress concerns by making abuse seem routine.”

Just weeks before the warrant for her husband was issued, Gilberttackled the issue of sexual abusethrough her Instagram on November 15, 2025. (Gilbert was replying to the “I Was 15” social media campaign, which began afterMegyn Kellyclaimed that a convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epstein“was into the barely legal type,” suggesting that he might not have actually been a pedophile.

So, I considered posting this, but I felt driven to share. After reading numerous women’s posts with the hashtags #iwasfifteen #imfifteen #iwasachild, I decided to search my own name to see what came up,” she wrote. “And this is some of what I discovered… and now, at this age, at this point in time, I am actually feeling sick.

Gilbert posted images of herself at the age of 15 on the set ofLittle House in the Prairie alongside costar Dean Butler, a 23-year-old actor who portrayed the love interest of her character.

The girl who was on vacation in Hawaii with her family is the same girl who was supposed to ‘fall in love with’ and kiss a man who was several years older than her,” Gilbert wrote. “From today’s perspective, this is disturbing. I have no words other than to say, ‘I WAS A CHILD.’ ‘I WAS FIFTEEN.’ And I was the positive outcome.

She continued, “Thank goodness my mom, Michael, and so many others were there to ensure my safety. Can you picture what would have happened if I didn’t have them all? I feel very lucky (in a way). Many other young women don’t.”

More recently, Gilbert shared an anonymous enigmatic statementregarding injustice through Instagram on January 5.

Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield’s Relationship Timeline

Your apparent unease with injustice is misplaced,” the message stated, along with hashtags for “Fragility,” “You Know Who You Are,” and “That’s Right, I’m Looking at You.

In the comments section, Gilbert clarified that her post focused on “playing the victim and accusing others.”

It’s about avoiding responsibility for your own circumstances,” she said. “It’s about acting like a big, whiny child. I came across this quote and it really resonated with me. … I have a tough time with people who act like victims. Take ownership. Be strong. It’s pretty straightforward. It doesn’t relate to politics but has everything to do with privilege, mindset, and lack of strength.

Gilbert did not clearly state what she was alluding to in her Instagram post, although news emerged four days later regarding her husband’s arrest warrant.

Busfield and Gilbert have been spouses since 2013. (Gilbert had earlier been married to actorsBo Brinkman and Bruce Boxleitner, while Busfield had also been married twice previously, toRadha Delamarter and Jennifer Merwin.)

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, reach out to theNational Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-4673. If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or textChild Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.