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Melissa Gilbert shared a cryptic message with her followers amid new updates in her husband’s legal affairs.
The same day that the news broke on Friday, October 16, that a judge had been dismissed Timothy Busfieldallegations of child sexual abuse, Gilbert, 62, took to social media.
“So shining a good deed in a tired world,” read a message shared through her Instagram grid on Friday.
Posting to her Instagram story, Gilbert also shared the New York Times‘ cover her husband’s case. The publication’s headline reads, “Judge dismisses child sexual abuse charges against Timothy Busfield.
According to court documents obtained by Us Friday, Judge Joseph Montaño denied Busfield’s motion to dismiss the charge on four counts of sexual contact with a minor.
“The prosecutor failed to act in a fair and impartial manner, including failing to properly instruct the grand jury on the law for subpoenaing witnesses and to instruct the grand jurors on a procedure that effectively withheld subpoenaed witnesses,” the judge wrote in court documents, citing prosecutorial misconduct and errors that affect the legal process. “By doing so, the grand jury proceedings were conducted in a manner that violated the grand jury statutes designed to protect the structural integrity of our grand jury system and the presumption of prejudice applies.”
However, the state remains free to file new criminal charges against Busfield, 69, according to the filing.
“Our office has received the order and is evaluating our options to determine how to proceed,” said a spokesperson for the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office. Nancy Laughlin said in a statement to People.
Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield.
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)Us have contacted the Busfield team for additional comments.
Gilbert has been supportive of Busfield, who was first indicted on child sexual abuse charges by a grand jury in February. The actor has been accused of inappropriately touching a child actor in incidents that allegedly took place on the set of The Pure Lady between late 2022 and early 2024, according to an Albuquerque Police Department affidavit obtained by Us. (The West Side the actor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.)
Melissa Gilbert is standing by her husband, Timothy Busfield, despite the child sexual abuse allegations, calling his arrest “the worst experience of our lives” as she maintains her belief in his innocence. The Little House on the Prairie alum broke her silence in a candid interview with George Stephanopoulos that aired on April 6, […]
Shortly after her husband’s arrest, Gilbert’s rep said in a statement, “During this time, she is focused on supporting and caring for their large family as they navigate this time. Melissa will stand by and support her husband and will speak to the public at an appropriate time.”
Gilbert also defended Busfield in an interview with Good morning Americaand George Stephanopoulos in April.
“[He’s] the last person in the world who would hurt a child. And believe me, if I thought for one second that Tim Busfield had hurt a child, he would have a lot more to worry about than prison,” Gilbert said at the time.
If you or someone you know is a victim of child abuse, call or text the Child Helpline at 1-800-422-4453.
