Wife of West Wing actor Timothy Busfield makes unexpected request to judge following his arrest for child sex abuse claims
The wife of West Wing actor Timothy Busfield has submitted a request to the court following her husband's arrest in connection with child sex abuse allegations.
On January 13, Busfield surrendered to police after the Albuquerque Police Department issued a warrant alleging that he had engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two boys.
The same day, he was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, making his first appearance in court on January 14.
He is now being held in custody without bond ahead of a pretrial detention hearing scheduled for January 20.
Advert
On January 16, a new filing was made in response to the state's motion for pretrial detention, which included 75 letters of support from Bushfield's family, friends, and colleagues, including one from his wife, Melissa Gilbert.
In the letter, which was obtained by PEOPLE, Melissa, 61, expressed her support for her husband after charges were brought against him.
She went on to urge the court to 'take care of my sweet husband', as she wrote: "I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me.
"I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over. I can't help it. 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.
"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."
The Little House on the Prairie star told how she had briefly met him back in the 1980s, and they had then fallen in love in 2012, writing: "The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life.
"He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family."
In the letter, she went on to say: "I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way.
"Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion."
In a warrant issued on January 9, Busfield was alleged to have engaged in unlawful sexual contact with 11-year-old twins, whose identities have not been revealed for legal reasons.
Busfield recorded a video obtained by TMZ in which he denied the allegations.
"Hi everybody, it's Tim," he said. "I'm sure most of you know, that are watching this, that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque - I'm here now.
"I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I'm gonna confront these lies. They're horrible."
He added: "They're all lies and 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."
Bushfield's civil attorney, Larry Stein, also told PEOPLE: "The allegations were never challenged, they were never proved, and they’re 25 years old. And there doesn't seem to be any connection between these allegations regarding women 25 years ago and the allegations regarding these young boys."
When approached by UNILAD, a representative for Gilbert said she is 'not making public statements at this time', and is 'honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds'.
The statement added: "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."
UNILAD has previously approached Bushfield for comment.
Kit Roberts