Timothy Busfield ‘Drove 2,000 Miles’ to ‘Confront These Lies’ After Being Accused of Child Sex Abuse

Melissa Gilbert’s husband Timothy Busfield — who surrendered to law enforcement on Tuesday, January 13, in connection with child sex abuse charges — claims he has nothing to hide.

In a video shared with TMZ, the Emmy Award winner said that he drove thousands of miles to New Mexico after a warrant was issued earlier this month for his arrest.

“I’m here now,” he said in the clip. “I got the call Friday night. I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in a car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible.”

As the National Enquirer previously reported, the 68-year-old actor was accused of inappropriately touching a minor with charges that include one count of child abuse and two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor under the age of 13.

The charges against Busfield stem from incidents involving two young brothers that allegedly occurred on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady between November 2022 and the spring of 2024. One of the boys claimed he was 7 years old when the alleged incidents began.

The arrest warrant stated, per multiple reports, that Busfield touched one of the boy’s “penis and buttocks, masking it as play.”

“They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys,” Busfield claimed. “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.”

Attorney Christina McGovern told TMZ that she “found no corroborating evidence that Mr. Busfield engaged in inappropriate conduct or that he was ever alone with the twins on set.”

Reports have stated that the former Little House on the Prairie actress, 61, was aware of her husband’s phone interview with police amid the investigation, and she has since deactivated her Instagram profile.

In a statement to the Enquirer, a representative for the actress said that she is “not making public statements at this time,” adding that any purported “statements” online — including AI-generated ones — are not from her.

“She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds,” the rep said. “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.”

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.