Melissa Gilbert is letting a brief Instagram message speak for her after a major development in her husband Timothy Busfield’s criminal case. The “Little House on the Prairie” star shared a quote about goodness in a weary world on the same day a judge dismissed Busfield’s indictment on child sexual abuse charges. She also posted a news headline announcing the decision.
Gilbert has stood firmly behind her husband throughout the case. But while the ruling gives his defense a significant win, it leaves prosecutors free to pursue new proceedings.
Melissa Gilbert Posts A Cryptic Message After The Ruling
Gilbert shared her Instagram post on Friday, October 16, as news of the dismissal emerged. “So shines a good deed in a weary world,” the message read. She did not directly explain the quote or name Busfield in the post.
Over on her Instagram Stories, however, Gilbert shared The New York Times’ coverage of the ruling. The headline read, “Judge Dismisses Child Sexual Abuse Charges Against Timothy Busfield.”
The posts followed months of public support from Gilbert, who previously said she was completely confident her husband would be exonerated.
Judge Cites Problems With The Grand Jury Proceedings
Busfield scored a legal win when Judge Joseph Montaño granted his request to throw out the indictment on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. The ruling centered on the prosecution’s handling of the grand jury process.
“The prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner, including the failure to properly instruct the grand jury on the law for calling witnesses and in instructing the grand jurors on a procedure that effectively withheld requested witnesses,” the judge wrote.
He continued, “In doing so, the grand jury proceedings were conducted in a manner that violated grand jury statutes designed to protect the structural integrity of our grand jury system and the presumption of prejudice applies.”
- Behind Melissa Gilbert’s peaceful Catskills life lies a far more difficult reality.
- Julia Roberts’ sister-in-law recalls a Timothy Busfield encounter she never forgot.
- Busfield claims “false allegations” ruined his career.
- Gilbert leaves New York City behind amid her husband’s legal battle.
- Gilbert is reportedly “cutting anyone” from her life “who questions her” support for her embattled husband, Timothy Busfield.
Prosecutors Are Weighing Their Next Move
The dismissal does not necessarily end Busfield’s legal fight. According to the filing described by Us Weekly, the state remains free to institute new criminal proceedings against the 69-year-old actor. “Our office has received the order and is evaluating our options to determine how we will proceed,” Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Nancy Laflin told PEOPLE.
Busfield’s attorney, meanwhile, welcomed the development and pointed back to the actor’s insistence that he was innocent. “Tim said from the beginning that he was innocent. That he would fight to prove his innocence. And he did.”
Busfield had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Whether prosecutors will seek another indictment remains unresolved.
The Allegations Involved ‘The Cleaning Lady’ Set
Busfield was indicted by a grand jury in February following allegations involving a child actor. According to an Albuquerque Police Department affidavit obtained by Us Weekly, he was accused of inappropriate touching in incidents alleged to have occurred on the set of “The Cleaning Lady” between late 2022 and early 2024. The “West Wing” actor denied the charges through his not-guilty plea.
Following his arrest, Gilbert’s representative said her immediate priority was their family, while making her position on her husband clear. “During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time.”
Gilbert later took that support directly to television, speaking about the allegations in an April interview with “Good Morning America.”
Gilbert Previously Said She Was Certain Her Husband Would Be Exonerated
During her conversation with George Stephanopoulos, Gilbert strongly rejected the idea that Busfield would harm a child. “[He’s] the last person in the world who would hurt a child. And believe me, if I thought for a second that Tim Busfield hurt a child, he’d have a lot more to worry about than prison,” she said. “I am 100 percent confident he will be exonerated.”
For now, the indictment has been thrown out, Busfield’s attorney is celebrating the ruling and prosecutors are considering what comes next. Gilbert’s public support for her husband remains unchanged.