Melissa Gilbert removes Instagram amid allegations against husband Timothy Busfield
Melissa Gilbert has deactivated several of her personal social media accounts amid reports that her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, is facing arrest related to child sex abuse allegations.
Visitors to Gilbert’s official Instagram and Threads profiles found the pages unavailable on Saturday, while her lifestyle brand Modern Prairie remains active.
According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, New Mexico authorities issued an arrest warrant for Busfield following allegations made by a former child actor who appeared on the TV series The Cleaning Lady. The accuser, who worked on the show alongside his twin brother, alleged that Busfield inappropriately touched him on multiple occasions between the ages of 7 and 8. The alleged incidents reportedly occurred between late 2022 and mid-2024.
An affidavit from the Albuquerque Police Department states that the child was fearful of reporting the alleged behavior due to Busfield’s role as a director and authority figure on set. The document also notes that the child has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety linked to the alleged trauma.
Busfield reportedly spoke with investigators in November 2025, acknowledging that physical contact such as picking up or tickling child actors could have occurred but denying any inappropriate intent. He also told authorities that he did not specifically recall the children involved.
The warrant references Busfield and Gilbert socializing with the child’s family outside of work, including purchasing Christmas gifts. Investigators suggested such actions could align with grooming behaviors, though Busfield has denied wrongdoing.
Gilbert has not publicly commented on the allegations or her decision to deactivate her accounts. The couple, who married in 2013, have been together for more than a decade. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, and Busfield has not yet responded publicly to the charges.