- - Melissa Gilbert's Mother Issues an Emotional Defense of Timothy Busfield Amid Arrest

Jennifer MashugaJanuary 17, 2026 at 10:09 PM

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In the days since Melissa Gilbert's husband, Timothy Busfield, surrendered to police, the actor and director's friends, family, and colleagues have come forward to vouch for him. One such letter, published by PEOPLE, was written by Gilbert's mother, Barbara Cowan.

“I could not love & respect him more if I had carried him as my own,” Cowan wrote. “I am sorry for anyone who has not been graced [with] his love, generosity, kindness, playfulness, caring, teachings, availability, strength, and on & on.”

“I am a very protective mother, and grandmother & great grand mother,” she continued. “Tim has taken care of all my previous little ones. They can’t wait for their fun & special times with him. I don’t blame them. Tim is magical. I would trust all with him today.”

“From day one he was my real son,” Barbara added. “He is the man & the strength I look forward to as I enter my nineties. I need him in my life. There is no one that can ever take his place for me, or for anyone else in this family or our extended family. The world is a better place with Timothy Busfield in it.”

The Little House on the Prairie star and one of her sons, Michael Boxleitner, also wrote letters to the judge. Gilbert said he's the "beating heart" of the family, while Michael, 30, called Busfield "a stalwart integrity" and his "hero."

On Jan. 9, a warrant was issued for Busfield's arrest for two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. He turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department on Jan. 13.

Busfield is being held without bond and has a pretrial hearing on Jan. 20. He has denied all charges and proclaimed his innocence, alleging the lawsuit is based on revenge.

Since the charges were filed, the West Wing actor has been dropped from his talent agency, Innovative Artists. Gilbert, for her part, has deactivated her Instagram account, and her representative said that the actress would not "speak publicly while the legal process unfolds. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time."

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”