This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
AfterTimothy Busfield reportedly surrendered himself to policeoveralleged child sex abuse claims, his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, is speaking out about where she stands.
"Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time," said the "Little House on the Prairie" actress in a statement provided toPeople magazineandUs Weekly.
The 68-year-old actor was charged with child sex abuse on Friday, Jan. 9, after New Mexico authorities issued an arrest warrant, according to a criminal complaint viewed by USA TODAY. New Mexico police and U.S. Marshals searched for Busfield following the warrant, the Albuquerque Police Department confirmed.
On Tuesday, Jan. 13,TMZreported Busfield had surrendered to authorities. The outlet obtained footage of Busfield speaking at his lawyer's office in Albuquerque before heading into custody. "They're all lies," Busfield says in the footage.
An investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department filed a criminal complaint for a case involving two minors who were part of the series "The Cleaning Lady," which Busfield directed. Busfield is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
The abuse allegedly occurred between late 2022 and early 2024, according to the criminal complaint. One child alleged that Busfield had touched his genitals several times. Both say Busfield touched them inappropriately.
Background:Timothy Busfield in police custody amid sex abuse claims - Report
Melissa Gilbert speaks out about Timothy Busfield's child sex abuse claims
The statements from People magazine and Us Weekly also added that the actress was "not making public statements at this time," and that "any purported 'statements' circulating online — including AI-generated deepfakes of her 'breaking her silence' — should not be treated as coming from her."
According to the statement, Gilbert is "honoring the request" of Busfield's lawyers to refrain from speaking about her husband's case as "the legal process unfolds."
"During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment," the statement continued. "Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected."
PerPeople magazine, Gilbert's Instagram and other social media pages were deleted or deactivated as of Sunday, Jan. 11.
Gilbert and Busfield married in 2013.
More:Melissa Gilbert 'nauseated' by age difference with 'Little House' costar Dean Butler
What is Timothy Busfield accused of?
Busfield's abuse of the minors allegedly occurred between late 2022 and early 2024. One child alleged that Busfield had touched his genitals several times. Both say Busfield touched them inappropriately and instructed them to call him "Uncle Tim."
According to the complaint, the children's mother reported the incidents to Child Protective Services. One child has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, and feared disclosing the alleged abuse because of retaliation from Busfield, the complaint claims. In 2024, University of New Mexico Hospital staff members requested an investigation because it appeared the boys were being groomed.
According to the affidavit, Busfield acknowledged to police in a phone interview that the set was a "playful environment" and that he had probably tickled the boys. He suggested the allegations were a form of revenge because the boys had been fired from the show. Production assistants told Albuquerque police that Busfield was sometimes touchy or unprofessional.
More:Actor Timothy Busfield faces child sex abuse charges in New Mexico
Timothy Busfield speaks out about child sex abuse claims
In the video TMZ obtained on Jan. 13, 2026, Busfield called the allegations "lies" and claimed he "did not do anything to those little boys."
His video began, "I'm sure most of you know, that are watching this, that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque – I'm here now. I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I'm gonna confront these lies. They're horrible.""They're all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies," Busfield continued. "So hang in there and hopefully I'm out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield amid child sex abuse claims
