Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Melissa Gilbert wrote a letter to a judge asking that her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, be protected while he remains jailed on child sex abuse charges, as prosecutors seek to keep him in custody without bond.
The Little House on the Prairie actress submitted a handwritten letter to the court on January 16, asking that Busfield be kept safe while in custody. The filing comes as Busfield, 75, remains jailed in New Mexico following his arrest earlier this week and awaits a January 20 pretrial detention hearing.
Busfield faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. Prosecutors allege the conduct involved two 11-year-old boys. He surrendered to authorities on January 13 after a warrant was issued by the Albuquerque Police Department and made his first court appearance the following day.
Gilbert’s letter was included among 75 letters of support submitted with the defense’s formal opposition to the state’s motion to keep Busfield jailed pending trial.
In her letter, Gilbert identified herself as Busfield’s wife and described him as her “love,” “rock,” and “partner in business and life.” She praised his character, professional reputation, and role within their family, writing that he has the strongest moral compass of anyone she knows.
“Please, please, take care of my sweet husband,” Gilbert wrote, adding that while Busfield has long been her protector, she is unable to protect him now while he is incarcerated.
She acknowledged the emotional difficulty of writing the letter, telling the court she was struggling to balance logic with the fear and heartbreak she feels while her husband remains in custody.
Busfield is currently being held without bond as the court considers whether he should be released before trial. In filings submitted on January 14, prosecutors also referenced an additional allegation reported that same day involving conduct alleged to have occurred years earlier in California. That allegation is not part of the current criminal charges but was cited in support of the state’s detention request.
Busfield has denied all allegations. In a video recorded before surrendering, he maintained his innocence and said he intends to fight the charges.
At this stage, the court is not deciding guilt or innocence. The January 20 hearing focuses solely on whether Busfield should remain jailed while the case proceeds. Under New Mexico law, judges may deny pretrial release if prosecutors meet specific legal thresholds related to public safety and risk.
The judge will consider four core factors:
the seriousness of the charges and alleged conduct
whether Busfield poses a danger to the community
whether release conditions could reasonably manage that risk
whether detention is legally justified before trial
A ruling on detention does not determine the outcome of the criminal case, which will continue through the standard pretrial process regardless of the decision.
Even before trial, the case has already produced consequences that exist independently of any verdict. Busfield remains incarcerated, his professional standing is under scrutiny, and personal communications — including Gilbert’s letter — have become part of the public court record.
For Gilbert, the appeal reflects both a legal reality and a deeply personal moment unfolding in full public view.
