Melissa Gilbert Asks Judge to Keep 'Sweet Husband' Timothy Busfield 'Protected' in Jail Amid Child Sex Abuse Charges

Melissa Gilbert is continuing to stand by husband Timothy Busfield.

The 68-year-old actor, best known for his work on The West Wing, is facing two charges of alleged criminal sexual contact with a minor and one of child abuse in relation to allegations that he sexually abused twin boys who he met on the set of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady in 2022.

While he maintains his innocence, he later surrendered to police and is now behind bars.

Melissa, 61, has voiced her support for her husband and in a new filing with the defendant’s response in opposition to the state’s motion for pretrial detention submitted, she is asking the judge to “protect” Busfield in jail.

Keep reading to find out more…In her letter, the Little House on the Prairie actrss began by identifying herself as Busfield‘s wife, explaining that they briefly met in the 1980s before falling in love in 2012.

“The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,” she wrote, per People. “He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.”

“I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way,” she continued. “Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion.”

Melissa wrote that on “every single set where Tim is working,” she’s been approached by “multiple people” who say he is “their favorite director ever.”

“Actually, people say that to me in restaurants, on red carpets and in grocery stores too,” she added. “His former students, tell me he was their favorite teacher ever. I cannot tell you how it has warmed my heart over and over again to hear people, from so many different walks of life, tel me they encountered my husband in some way and he is their favorite. He is my favorite.”

She went on to write that “one of the great joys of my life” has been watching Busfield interact with her youngest son, Michael.

“Michael was a teenager when Tim and I got together. A full blown, angst-ridden teenager trying to figure out his place in the world,” Melissa wrote. “Tim nurtured and guided Michael. He admonished, praised, loved, consoled, cajoled, fretted, cared for, and fed my son both physically and spiritually. I will never be able to express the depth of gratitude I have to God for bringing this wonderful human into our lives.”

She also wrote that Busfield‘s former military training “enhanced for him what he values most; honor, integrity, compassion and care for his fellow human beings. Tim also applies those principles to orders. If he is told to do something, he does it fully and with honor, integrity, compassion and care.”

As she concluded the letter, Melissa acknowledged, “this is the strangest letter I’ve ever had to write.”

“I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me. I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over. I can’t help it,” Melissa wrote. “I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband. As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart, I am relying on your to protect him for me.”

Melissa‘s letter was one of 75 that was submitted in the new filing. Many other family members, longtime friends, and colleagues also wrote letters on Busfield‘s behalf.

There’s also a new allegation against Timothy Busfield from a then 16-year-old girl.