Inside Timothy Busfield, Melissa Gilbert's marriage amid sexual abuse claims

This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.

Amid multiple sexual abuse allegations aimed at Timothy Busfield, eyes are on the "West Wing" actor's relationship with "Little House on the Prairie" actress Melissa Gilbert.

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, a motion for pretrial detention was filed, revealing that an alleged victim's father, Colin Swift, told law enforcement on Tuesday, Jan. 13, that Busfield sexually abused his daughter "several years ago" in California.

The development comes after the actor was recently charged with child sex abuse in New Mexico, where authorities issued an arrest warrant on Friday, Jan. 9.

According to reports from TMZ on Tuesday, Busfield reportedly surrendered himself to authorities, and on the same day, Gilbert's rep issued a statement about where the actress stands amid her husband's legal troubles.

"Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time," per a statement provided to People magazine and Us Weekly. Gilbert, 61, and Busfield, 68, have been married since 2013, with both previously having been married twice.

Here's a look back at Busfield and Gilbert's marriage.

When did Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert get married?

The pair tied the knot in a private ceremony at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California, on April 24, 2013, People reported at the time.

Gilbert wore a red wedding dress, while Busfield donned a blue suit.

How many kids do Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert have?

Gilbert has two sons from her previous marriages to "Gettysburg" actor Bo Brinkman and "How the West Was Won" actor and sci-fi writer Bruce Boxleitner.

Busfield has three children: one with actress and director Radha Delamarter, and two with fashion designer Jennifer Merwin.

Inside Timothy Busfield, Melissa Gilbert's quiet, Michigan life

The couple went on to move to Busfield's home state of Michigan right after they married.

"I'm not a big fan of living in (Los Angeles) when I'm not working," he told Livingston Daily, part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2015, adding the actress was accepting when he told her that he wanted to pursue a relationship, but that he lived in Michigan. "She came out with Michael, my stepson, and we spent the holidays together. We got engaged over that Christmas" in 2012.

Busfield directed Gilbert in a few episodes of the short-lived ABC whodunit "Secrets and Lies" in 2015. The pair moved a few years later, buying and renovating a hunting cabin in the Catskills in New York. She said in a panel discussion in 2020 that the couple were "gleeful" to be living like "Little House" in real life, with raised beds and chicken coops. "I never had more fun in my life. We get up early in the morning, and we're absolutely filthy by 10 a.m.," she said at the time.

Gilbert went with Busfield as he was filming "The Cleaning Lady" in New Mexico, temporarily living in Albuquerque as he directed and produced the series now at the center of new child sexual abuse allegations against the actor.

What is Timothy Busfield accused of?

An investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department filed a criminal complaint in early January for a case involving two minors who were part of the series "The Cleaning Lady." On Friday, Jan. 9, Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.

Busfield's abuse of the minors allegedly occurred between late 2022 and early 2024. One child alleged that Busfield had touched his genitals several times. Both say Busfield touched them inappropriately and instructed them to call him "Uncle Tim."

According to the complaint, the children's mother reported the incidents to Child Protective Services. One child has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, and feared disclosing the alleged abuse because of retaliation from Busfield, the complaint claims. In 2024, University of New Mexico Hospital staff members requested an investigation because it appeared the boys were being groomed.

According to the affidavit, Busfield acknowledged to police in a phone interview on speaker phone with Gilbert present that the set was a "playful environment" and that he had "likely" tickled the boys. He suggested the allegations were a form of revenge because the boys had been fired from the show. Production assistants told Albuquerque police that Busfield was sometimes touchy or unprofessional.

Busfield also disclosed that the couple had a relationship with the children and their family outside of the production, including being together at "several social functions" and purchasing Christmas gifts for the boys.

What has Melissa Gilbert said about Timothy Busfield?

In a statement provided to People magazine and Us Weekly, Gilbert is said to be "honoring the request" of Busfield's lawyers to refrain from speaking about her husband's case as "the legal process unfolds."

"During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment," the statement continued. "Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected."

Per People magazine, Gilbert's Instagram and other social media pages were deleted or deactivated as of Sunday, Jan. 11.

Contributing: Laura Trujillo, Pamela Avila, Anna Kaufman, Edward Segarra and Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY