Melissa Gilbert Was on Speakerphone During Husband Timothy Busfield’s Interview with Detective Before Arrest Warrant
Melissa Gilbert was on speakerphone during her husband Timothy Busfield’s interview with police amid an investigation into his alleged sex crimes
An arrest warrant issued on January 9th in Albuquerque, N.M., alleged that actor and director Busfield, 68, engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors
During the November 3rd, 2025, phone interview, Busfield allegedly told police that the boys’ parents were upset that they had been replaced with a younger actor, according to the warrant
Melissa Gilbert was present during her husband Timothy Busfield’s phone interview with police amid an investigation into his alleged sex crimes, according to an arrest warrant.
The Arrest Warrant
On Friday, January 9th, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) issued the arrest warrant, which alleged that actor and director Busfield, 68, engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors, 11-year-old twin boys—one of whom alleged that the incidents began when he was 7.
In the warrant, obtained by PEOPLE, Officer Marvin Brown stated that he contacted Busfield for a phone interview on November 3rd, 2025. Busfield told the investigator that he was in New York at the time of the phone call and that his wife, Little House on the Prairie star Gilbert, 61, was listening to the conversation via speakerphone.
During the phone interview, Busfield allegedly told police that the boys’ parents were upset that they had been replaced with a younger actor, according to the warrant. Soon after, Busfield told police, he received a call from Warner Bros. informing him they were investigating a complaint.
The Investigation Begins
The police investigation into the allegations against Busfield began on November 1st, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) alerted officers about a case of alleged sexual abuse.
While speaking with Officer Brown, the victims’ parents said the minors were child actors who met Busfield on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director, according to the arrest warrant.
The boys’ parents said professionals suggested they “were groomed,” per the warrant. It was later determined, however, that the case did not meet authorities’ acceptance criteria at the time.
Mother Files Report
In October 2025, the victims’ mother filed a police report and told Child Protective Services (CPS) that “her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024.” However, according to the warrant, she was initially told that because physical abuse had not occurred, nothing could be done.
Relationship Details Emerge
During Busfield’s phone interview, investigators determined that Busfield and Gilbert “did have a relationship” with the two victims “and their family outside of work.”
“They advised that they did buy the two boys Christmas gifts and were together [at] several social functions,” Brown wrote in the arrest warrant, referring to statements that Busfield and Gilbert made during an interview held amid an investigation.
In the conclusion of his findings, Brown mentioned the Christmas gift-giving again, writing that Busfield “would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness.”
Prior Allegations
Before the recent arrest warrant, Busfield faced prior sexual assault allegations dating back to 1994, according to the warrant. Those allegations did not result in charges.
Personal Background
Gilbert and Busfield, who is known for his roles in Thirtysomething and The West Wing, wed in 2013.
Representatives for both Gilbert and Busfield have not responded to PEOPLE’s repeated requests for comment.
Warner Bros. Statement
In a previous statement to PEOPLE, a Warner Bros. Television representative said, “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action.”
“[We] have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement,” the spokesperson added.
Serious Allegations
The arrest warrant details disturbing allegations spanning multiple years, with one victim alleging abuse began when he was just 7 years old. The investigation highlights the complex dynamics that can develop when industry professionals form relationships with child actors and their families outside of professional settings.
The fact that Gilbert was present on speakerphone during her husband’s police interview raises questions about what she may have known about his interactions with the young actors and their family. However, no allegations have been made against Gilbert herself.
Timeline of Events
The timeline outlined in the warrant shows a progression from initial concerns raised by medical professionals in November 2024, to the mother’s formal report in October 2025, to the eventual arrest warrant issued in January 2026. This delay reflects the challenges that often accompany investigations into alleged child sexual abuse, particularly when cases involve prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
The victims’ mother’s initial difficulty in getting authorities to take action—being told that without physical abuse “nothing could be done”—illustrates systemic issues in how such cases are sometimes handled, though investigators eventually pursued the matter.
Industry Implications
The case raises broader questions about protections for child actors and the oversight of their interactions with adult professionals in the entertainment industry. The fact that the alleged abuse occurred over an extended period, from 2022 to 2024, suggests potential failures in safeguarding systems meant to protect minors on production sets.
Warner Bros.’ statement emphasizing their commitment to investigating misconduct and cooperating with law enforcement will likely be scrutinized as the case proceeds, particularly regarding what mechanisms were in place during the time the alleged abuse occurred.
As the legal process unfolds, the entertainment industry faces renewed examination of its practices regarding child actor safety and the relationships that develop between minors, their families, and industry professionals.
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.