Melissa Gilbert is standing by her husband, Timothy Busfield, after the embattled “West Wing” actor turned himself into New Mexico authorities on child sex abuse charges.
The “Little House on the Prairie” alum, 61, said she is now focused on supporting her husband and caring for their “very large” family after Busfield surrendered Tuesday to Albuquerque police for allegedly engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys while directing “The Cleaning Lady’ in 2024.
“Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time,” her representative said in a statement to People.
“Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online — including AI-generated deepfake’s on her ‘breaking her silence’ — should not be treated as coming from her. She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.
“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. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
Busfield, best known for his role as Danny Concannon on HBO’s political drama “The West Wing,” was faces two counts of criminal misconduct against a minor— one for each child — and child abuse, according to a warrant issued on Friday by New Mexico Police.
The “Revenge of the Nerds” actor denied the “horrible” accusations, pressing that he “did not do anything to those little boys” while directing the FOX series in a video message his lawyer shared with TMZ ahead of his arrest.
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“I’m going to confront these lies, they’re horrible,” Busfield, 68, said in the clip. “They are all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys. And I’m going to fight it. I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.
“So hang in there, and hopefully I’m out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me.”
He is accused of inappropriately touching one of the boys three or four times, and the other five or six times, according to the warrant.
The alleged abuse began in 2022, when the boys were 7 years old, according to court documents.
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