Melissa Gilbert Was on Speakerphone During Timothy Busfield’s Police Interview, Warrant Claims

An arrest warrant filed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, alleges that actress Melissa Gilbert was present on speakerphone during a police interview with her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, amid an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving two child actors.

According to the warrant, issued on January 9, Busfield, 68, is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys, with one child alleging the incidents began when he was just seven years old. The document emphasizes that these are allegations and that Busfield has not been convicted of any crime.

The warrant states that on November 3, 2025, Albuquerque Police Department Officer Marvin Brown conducted a phone interview with Busfield. During that call, Busfield reportedly told investigators that he was in New York and that his wife, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, 61, was listening to the conversation via speakerphone.

Busfield allegedly told police that the boys’ parents were upset after their children were replaced by a younger actor on a television production. He further claimed that he later received a call from Warner Bros. informing him that a complaint was under investigation.

How the Investigation Began

The warrant outlines that the investigation began on November 1, 2024, after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted authorities regarding a potential case of child sexual abuse.

The victims’ parents reportedly told police that their sons 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 document, professionals later suggested that the children “were groomed,” though the case initially did not meet authorities’ acceptance criteria at that time.

In October 2025, the boys’ mother filed a formal police report and contacted Child Protective Services. She allegedly stated that both children disclosed sexual abuse by Busfield spanning from approximately November 2022 through spring 2024. The warrant notes that she was initially told no action could be taken because there had been no physical injury.

Relationships Beyond the Set

During the police interview, investigators determined that Busfield and Gilbert had a personal relationship with the two boys and their family outside of work.

“They advised that they did buy the two boys Christmas gifts and were together [at] several social functions,” Officer Brown wrote in the warrant.

The document further alleges that Busfield invited the family to off-set gatherings and that Christmas gifts were used to “foster closeness.” These statements are included as part of the investigation and have not been adjudicated in court.

Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the “Nymphes D’Or – Golden Nymphs” Nominees Party.
Credit : Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Prior Allegations and Industry Response

The warrant also references prior sexual assault allegations against Busfield dating back to 1994, which did not result in charges.

Busfield, known for his roles in Thirtysomething and The West Wing, married Melissa Gilbert in 2013. Representatives for both Gilbert and Busfield have not responded to requests for comment.

In a previous statement, a Warner Bros. Television spokesperson 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 will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.”

What the Warrant Raises

The warrant details allegations spanning multiple years and highlights the complex dynamics that can arise when adult industry professionals form personal relationships with child actors and their families.

The claim that Melissa Gilbert was present during her husband’s police interview has prompted public speculation. However, the warrant makes no allegations against Gilbert herself.

The timeline described in the document—from initial concerns in 2024, to a formal report in 2025, and the arrest warrant in 2026—reflects the challenges often associated with investigating alleged abuse involving minors, particularly when high-profile figures are involved.

As the legal process continues, the case is expected to prompt renewed discussion about safeguards for child actors and oversight within the entertainment industry.

This article reports on allegations contained in a legal document. All claims are unproven and remain subject to the legal process. No findings of guilt have been made.