What you need to know
Melissa Gilbert’s company has released a new statement as her legal battle with husband Timothy Busfield continues.
Busfield, 68, who married Gilbert in 2013, faces child sexual abuse charges in New Mexico. On January 13, he was formally charged with two counts of sexual contact with a minor (child under 13) and one count of child abuse.
He was released from custody on January 20 pending trial. Ms Gilbert, 61, was in the room to support the actor during the pre-trial detention hearing and was seen crying when the judge ruled that he would be released.
Two days later, in an Instagram post on Jan. 22, Modern Prairie founder and CEO Nicole Haas shared an update on Gilbert’s involvement with the lifestyle brand.
“We would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of care, kindness, and support. We felt them, and Melissa felt them as well 🤍,” the message began.
“Many of you are accustomed to seeing Melissa on our feeds regularly, and we understand why her absence has caused concern,” the post reads. “At this time, we are choosing to respect Melissa’s need for privacy. Supporting someone doesn’t necessarily mean showing up loudly. It often means holding space respectfully and thoughtfully.”
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Haas continued, “What we can share, and we want to be clear, is that, as our Chief Creative Officer, Melissa is and will continue to be an integral part of Modern Prairie. Her creative voice and heart are deeply woven into who we are and what we create, and that will never change.”
Haase’s post thanked customers for their “patience” and “kindness” and reaffirmed the brand’s “commitment” to the community. “Our team is here every day, mindful of our work, our conversations, and the values that define Modern Prairie: kindness, dignity, and the belief that women have the right to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.”
On January 9, a warrant for Busfield’s arrest was issued by the Albuquerque Police Department in connection with charges of unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twins. He surrendered to police in New Mexico on January 13.
The next day, a pretrial detention motion included another accusation of sexual abuse. Swift reported to police on January 13 that Busfield allegedly sexually abused Swift’s then 16-year-old daughter in Sacramento, California, “several years ago.”
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After Busfield turned himself in, Modern Prairie released a statement calling the allegations a “personal” matter “not directly related to Melissa or the brand” and saying it “remains focused on supporting our community and continuing to work with care, responsibility and purpose.”
Gilbert has stood by her husband since the warrant was issued. Her attorney, Ame Van Eyden, issued a statement on her behalf on January 13, saying that Gilbert “will not speak publicly while the legal process is ongoing.”
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“During this time, her focus is on supporting and caring for her extended family as they navigate this moment. Melissa will be there for and support her husband and will address the public at the appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
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In a Jan. 13 interview, Busfield’s civil attorney, Larry Stein, denied all allegations that Busfield engaged in illegal sex with her 11-year-old twin boys.
“He’s in complete shock,” Stein said of Busfield. “He is devastated and will defend himself because these are completely false allegations.”
Mr. Stein also denied the new allegations in a pretrial motion. “This allegation has never been refuted or proven, and it is 25 years old,” Stein told PEOPLE. “And there doesn’t seem to be any connection between these allegations about the woman from 25 years ago and the allegations about these boys.”
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453 or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. Our hotline is available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
