NM - Actor Timothy Busfield arrested, 10 January 2026

[Izzylizzy]

How were the SA allegations made by the 16 yr old girl "never proved" (according to Busflield's lawyer) if LE never investigated?
imo

Timothy Busfield's Lawyer Addresses Abuse Claims Involving 16-Year-Old

Timothy Busfield was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl more than 20 years ago following his arrest in New Mexico

www.usmagazine.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

What money grab? Do you have a link? Thanks.

"JMO Sounds like the therapist"

 

[Inthedetails]

She did speak out against child SA shortly after his November 2025 interview with LE

Melissa Gilbert condemned child sex abuse weeks before husband Timothy Busfield’s shocking arrest warrant

Gilbert was 15 when she felt forced to “fall in love with and kiss” Dean Butler, then 23, in “Little House on the Prairie.”

nypost.com

I remember reading that and thinking it was odd. Why talk about Little House now, I wondered. It seemed plopped into the news out of the blue, but NYPost posts odd celebrity news sometimes - like comments made on podcasts as if they are news items, so I just dismissed my confusion why MG was bringing it up.

Now, I can't help but think if she was priming the public to think what might look bad on a set really isn't bad. IDK.

MG has a good reputation with the public and I think she might be used to have her good rep reflect on him.

jmopinion

 

[tlcya]

"JMO Sounds like the therapist"

yes, MOO speculation.

 

[LAborn]

"JMO Sounds like the therapist"

I knew who they were talking about, but where is the article that says he gained monetarily? Where's the link?

 

[Eli9]

I remember reading that and thinking it was odd. Why talk about Little House now, I wondered. It seemed plopped into the news out of the blue, but NYPost posts odd celebrity news sometimes - like comments made on podcasts as if they are news items, so I just dismissed my confusion why MG was bringing it up.

Now, I can't help but think if she was priming the public to think what might look bad on a set really isn't bad. IDK.

MG has a good reputation with the public and I think she might be used to have her good rep reflect on him.

jmopinion

There was a bunch of people posting #Iwas15 or #Iwasachild because of something Megan Kelly said or didn't say and she jumped on the bandwagon. I can't help but think like you that the timing was weird considering the circumstances.

 

[Inthedetails]

There was a bunch of people posting #Iwas15 or #Iwasachild because of something Megan Kelly said or didn't say and she jumped on the bandwagon. I can't help but think like you that the timing was weird considering the circumstances.

Yeah, I don't get it. It was very odd to share publicly when she knew her husband was being accused of misconduct on the set but the public didn't yet know. Seems manipulative, honestly. (And I've liked MG so I'm disappointed if she is trying to manipulate the narrative.)

It will be a messy case, imo.

jmo

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I've always thought that TB was kind of creepy. He's originally from Michigan, and local media made a big deal about it when the couple lived in Howell, MI for a while. MG frequently appeared on local talk shows and promoted her My Prairie Cookbook with local book signings. IIRC, the Busfields left Michigan and moved to New York when there was a Congressional seat opening. After her stint as President of SAG, MG has sought to get into politics and saw this as an opportunity.

 

[Inthedetails]

I've always thought that TB was kind of creepy. He's originally from Michigan, and local media made a big deal about it when the couple lived in Howell, MI for a while. MG frequently appeared on local talk shows and promoted her My Prairie Cookbook with local book signings. IIRC, the Busfields left Michigan and moved to New York when there was a Congressional seat opening. After her stint as President of SAG, MG has sought to get into politics and saw this as an opportunity.

Welp. That career change is likely not going to happen now.

jmopinion

 

[Izzylizzy]

I've always thought that TB was kind of creepy. He's originally from Michigan, and local media made a big deal about it when the couple lived in Howell, MI for a while. MG frequently appeared on local talk shows and promoted her My Prairie Cookbook with local book signings. IIRC, the Busfields left Michigan and moved to New York when there was a Congressional seat opening. After her stint as President of SAG, MG has sought to get into politics and saw this as an opportunity.

IIRC: MG dropped out of the race saying it was health issues.
Maybe she became aware that her hubbies past was going to be brought into the campaign by her opponents and she decided to bolt?
imo

 

[Inthedetails]

Melissa Gilbert's brand has canceled an upcoming public appearance by the actress one day after her husband Timothy Busfield was charged with child sex crimes.

The Little House on the Prairie star, 61, was set to host an “Ask Melissa Anything” virtual Q&A for her lifestyle brand Modern Prairie on Friday, Jan. 16, but the brand released an update to subscribers of the event on Wed. Jan 14 that it was called off due to "an unexpected scheduling change."

Melissa Gilbert’s Modern Prairie Brand Cancels Her Event amid Husband Timothy Busfield’s Child Sex Abuse Charges

Melissa Gilbert's Modern Prairie brand has canceled an event she was scheduled to appear at shortly after her husband, Timothy Busfield, surrendered to authorities and faces child sex abuse charges.

people.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

I've always thought that TB was kind of creepy. He's originally from Michigan, and local media made a big deal about it when the couple lived in Howell, MI for a while. MG frequently appeared on local talk shows and promoted her My Prairie Cookbook with local book signings. IIRC, the Busfields left Michigan and moved to New York when there was a Congressional seat opening. After her stint as President of SAG, MG has sought to get into politics and saw this as an opportunity.

She was running for the Democrat seat in Michigan;s 8th Congressional District.
How could/would she handle passing laws like this?
imo

Michigan Senate Passes Comprehensive Package to Hold Sexual Abusers Accountable, Provide Justice for Survivors​

May 20, 2025 | Press Release

Michigan Senate Passes Comprehensive Package to Hold Sexual Abusers Accountable, Provide Justice for Survivors

senatedems.com

Melissa Gilbert - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Eli9]

Melissa Gilbert's brand has canceled an upcoming public appearance by the actress one day after her husband Timothy Busfield was charged with child sex crimes.

The Little House on the Prairie star, 61, was set to host an “Ask Melissa Anything” virtual Q&A for her lifestyle brand Modern Prairie on Friday, Jan. 16, but the brand released an update to subscribers of the event on Wed. Jan 14 that it was called off due to "an unexpected scheduling change."

Melissa Gilbert’s Modern Prairie Brand Cancels Her Event amid Husband Timothy Busfield’s Child Sex Abuse Charges

Melissa Gilbert's Modern Prairie brand has canceled an event she was scheduled to appear at shortly after her husband, Timothy Busfield, surrendered to authorities and faces child sex abuse charges.

people.com

The 'Ask Melissa Anything' event seems like a disaster in the making right about now. Very smart to cancel.

 

[Inthedetails]

The 'Ask Melissa Anything' event seems like a disaster in the making right about now. Very smart to cancel.

If the allegations are true, her career is damaged.
If the allegations are false, her career is still damaged.

jmopinion

 

[Sundog]

I do have a problem with the fact the report was made by a doctor who saw the boys only AFTER the parents saw an attorney first.

The parents may have not known which way to turn and asked for the advice of a lawyer. I doubt the doctor was swayed regarding his diagnosis and reporting to LE based on the parents having an attorney.

 

[Sundog]

I find Swift incredible. JMO Sounds like the therapist, who had a mandated duty to report the alleged abuse of his teen daughter, made a successful money grab instead and now, years later is piggy backing on the newer allegations.

I didn't see reference in the article I read that Mr. Swift made a money grab regarding his daughter's abuse. Is there a reference to that that I missed? Just asking, because it would be good to know if that is just speculation or not.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Honestly I feel kind of heartbroken for MG. If she'd heard the rumors previously and never believed them (let's face it, people lie all the time, for all kinds of reasons) then now is confronted with this nightmare, it's possible she's only now coming to terms with the fact that it might all be true. Most certainly not something any wife ever wants to deal with.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

She did speak out against child SA shortly after his November 2025 interview with LE

Melissa Gilbert condemned child sex abuse weeks before husband Timothy Busfield’s shocking arrest warrant

Gilbert was 15 when she felt forced to “fall in love with and kiss” Dean Butler, then 23, in “Little House on the Prairie.”

nypost.com

And the warrant says MG was on speakerphone with TB during that interview.

 

[Ruby_PA]

Busfield has been accused in two previous sexual assault allegations in 1994 and 2012.

Thank you! I was racking my brain trying to remember something that happened years ago that made me think this guy was a creep. Nothing else I saw mentioned any charges or accusations from years ago other than the 16 year old girl so I started thinking I was imagining it. But I distinctly remember his doughy pale face and associating it with being super creepy.

 

[keek]

Thank you! I was racking my brain trying to remember something that happened years ago that made me think this guy was a creep. Nothing else I saw mentioned any charges or accusations from years ago other than the 16 year old girl so I started thinking I was imagining it. But I distinctly remember his doughy pale face and associating it with being super creepy.

He always PUT ME OFF, could not abide. I didn't know about his past either, just, as you say!! Furious about the 'therapist' father of the 16 yr. old girl, letting him with 'therapy'. It does not work for sexual predators of children. IMO