Melissa Gilbert has returned to social media to some extent amid an โextraordinarily difficult timeโ stemming from the child sex abuse case involving her husband Timothy Busfield.
The โLittle House on the Prairieโ alumna, 61, spoke out on Monday, issuing a statement of gratitude and reflection to the Instagram page of her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie. She made her Instagram comeback after seemingly deactivating her personal account earlier this month, when allegations against her husband became public.
โThis season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters, and allow ourselves moments of rest,โ she captioned a photo of herself sitting pensively on a couch. โStepping 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.โ
Earlier this month, a New Mexico judge issued a warrant for Emmy winner Busfield, 68, on two felony counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and a single count of child abuse. An affidavit accuses Busfield of inappropriately touching two child actors, who are brothers, during his time as an actor, director and producer on the Fox drama โThe Cleaning Lady.โ
According to the complaint, one child actor said Busfield first touched his โprivate areasโ multiple times on set when he was 7 years old. The actor said that, when he was 8 years old, Busfield touched him inappropriately again several times, according to the affidavit. The complaint also detailed a police interview with Busfield in which he suggested that the boysโ mother might have sought โrevengeโ on the director for โnot bringing her kids back for the final season.โ
Amid the allegations against Busfield, Gilbertโs Modern Prairie issued a statement on Instagram distancing itself from the disturbing claims. โModern Prairie unequivocally condemns abuse in all forms and remains committed to values of safety, integrity, and respect.โ the statement said.
Busfield turned himself in to law enforcement on Jan. 13, denying the โhorribleโ allegations and asserting: โI did not do anything to those little boys.โ A publicist for Gilbert at the time said the actor would not comment on her husbandโs case, denounced โany purported statementsโ and said that she was focused on caring for her and Busfieldโs family. Busfield has three adult children from two previous marriages and is the stepfather to Gilbertโs two adult sons from her two previous marriages.
Busfield, known for his roles on โThe West Wingโ and โThirtysomething,โ was jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque but was granted release on his own recognizance on Jan. 20. At the hearing, to determine whether Busfield would be released pending trial, Gilbert could be seen crying and saying, โThank you, Godโ upon the judgeโs decision.
Gilbert thanked her Modern Prairie community for their patience and โfor helping me feel safer, more grounded, and deeply held,โ amid the scrutiny surrounding her family.
โIโll be easing back into things thoughtfully and with care โ moving forward one step at a time,โ she said. โMore to come and so much gratitude always.โ