Melissa Gilbert Was Left 'Sick With Worry' During Timothy Busfield's Week In Jail Before His Release

Melissa Gilbert has been distraught since her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, was arrested on child sexual abuse charges, fearing for his safety during a week in jail before his release on January 20.

Busfield has since denied all allegations and is preparing his defense with the assistance of legal counsel and support from friends.

Meanwhile, "The Cleaning Lady" hairstylist Danielle Vigil has clarified that her comments about Timothy Busfield were misconstrued, stressing she never intended to accuse him.

Melissa Gilbert Feared For Timothy Busfield's Safety During His Week In Jail Before Release

Gilbert has been deeply distressed since her husband, Busfield, was taken into custody earlier this month, fearing for his well-being while he remained in jail.

The "Little House on the Prairie" alum, now 61, was reportedly overwhelmed with "sick with worry" during the week Busfield spent in a New Mexico detention facility while awaiting a court hearing.

According to People Magazine, the emotional strain eased somewhat when the 68-year-old actor was released on January 20 after seven days behind bars.

A source close to the couple described the period following Busfield's arrest as agonizing for Gilbert.

"The court hearing was obviously very emotional and stressful," the source said. "Things are clearly far from over, but the main focus of getting Tim out of jail was accomplished. They're both very grateful. Melissa has been sick with worry that something would happen to him in jail."

The insider added that Gilbert and Busfield are leaning heavily on close friends as they work with legal counsel to prepare their defense.

"They have this huge group of friends that support and check in on them every day. Melissa is very grateful for the support. She'll be attending all the court hearings with Tim," the source said.

They added that Gilbert believes her husband is "innocent."

Melissa Gilbert Stands By Timothy Busfield As He's Released, Showing Support Amid Ongoing Charges

Gilbert has remained publicly supportive of Busfield since he voluntarily surrendered to authorities on January 13.

She attended the January 20 hearing with her mother, Barbara Cowan, her son Michael Boxleitner, and Busfield's civil attorney, Larry Stein.

When the judge ruled that Busfield could be released without posting bail, an emotional Gilbert clasped her hands and quietly expressed her gratitude.

Busfield's release came with strict conditions. He is permitted to return home outside of New Mexico, but he must attend all scheduled court dates and keep pretrial services informed of his location.

He is also barred from contacting the alleged victims or their families, from having unsupervised interactions with minors, and from possessing weapons or using alcohol or illegal substances.

The actor, known for roles in "The West Wing and thirtysomething," faces two counts of criminal sexual contact involving a child under 13, along with one count of child abuse.

The allegations relate to incidents involving two young twin actors on the set of "The Cleaning Lady," a series Busfield directed between 2022 and 2024.

Timothy Busfield Denies Allegations Of Child Sexual Abuse

Busfield has since firmly denied all accusations. In a video statement, he described the claims as "all lies."

"I did not do anything to those little boys, and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies," he said.

Ahead of the hearing, Gilbert submitted a heartfelt letter to the judge, describing Busfield as her life partner and emotional anchor.

The actress praised his character, emphasizing that he has "the strongest moral compass of any human" she knows.

Gilbert noted, "He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion."

Melissa Gilbert Begged The Judge To 'Protect' Her Husband While He Was In Jail

As her letter to the judge grew more personal, Gilbert admitted how difficult it had been for her to see her husband get arrested, ultimately asking the court to ensure Busfield's safety during the process.

"I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband," she wrote.

Gilbert added, "As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now, and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart. I am relying on you to protect him for me."

Hairstylist Clarifies Remarks About Timothy Busfield, Says Comments Were 'Misconstrued'

Meanwhile, Danielle Vigil, a hairstylist on "The Cleaning Lady," has issued a clarification about remarks she previously made concerning Busfield after his arrest on child sexual abuse charges.

Vigil said her earlier comments, where she recalled witnessing Busfield kiss two children on the forehead inside a set trailer, were "misconstrued." She stressed that she never meant to imply wrongdoing or offer opinions about the investigation.

Speaking to Us Weekly, Vigil explained that a detective had contacted her in connection with an inquiry involving a child.

She said the call was deeply upsetting given her past trauma: her daughter was murdered several years ago, and the case remains unsolved.

According to Vigil, the unexpected contact initially left her "caught off guard and fearful" that the matter might somehow involve her own children or grandchildren. She noted that she told the detective she was uncomfortable continuing the conversation, but ultimately decided to respond.

"Due to my lived experience with my daughter's unsolved murder, and my belief that silence and lack of cooperation can sometimes prevent justice," Vigil said, adding that she chose to answer only questions about what she personally witnessed.

She reiterated that her intention was not to make accusations or cause harm, but simply to share her firsthand observations when asked.