An arrest warrant issued on Jan. 9 in Albuquerque, N.M., alleged that Busfield, 68, engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors

Melissa Gilbert Was on Speakerphone During Husband Timothy Busfield's Interview with Detective Before Arrest Warrant

NEED TO KNOW

  • Melissa Gilbert was on speakerphone during her husband Timothy Busfield’s interview with police amid an investigation into his alleged sex crimes
  • An arrest warrant issued on Jan. 9 in Albuquerque, N.M., alleged that actor and director Busfield, 68, engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors
  • During the Nov. 3, 2025, phone interview, Busfield allegedly told police that the boys’ parents were upset that they had been replaced with a younger actor, according to the warrant

Melissa Gilbert was present during her husband Timothy Busfield‘s phone interview with police amid an investigation into his alleged sex crimes, according to an arrest warrant.

On Friday, Jan. 9, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) issued the arrest warrant, which alleged that actor and director Busfield, 68, engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors, 11-year-old twin boys — one of whom alleged that the incidents began when he was 7.

In the warrant, obtained by PEOPLE, Officer Marvin Brown stated that he contacted Busfield for a phone interview on Nov. 3, 2025. Busfield told the investigator that he was in New York at the time of the phone call and that his wife, Little House on the Prairie star Gilbert, 61, was listening to the conversation via speakerphone.

During the phone interview, Busfield allegedly told police that the boys’ parents were upset that they had been replaced with a younger actor, according to the warrant. Soon after, Busfield told police, he got a call from Warner Bros. informing him they were investigating a complaint.

Melissa Gilbert Spoke Out Against Child Sex Abuse Weeks Before Husband Timothy Busfield's Arrest Warrant

The police investigation into the allegations against Busfield began on Nov. 1, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) alerted officers about a case of alleged sexual abuse.

While speaking with Officer Brown, the victims’ parents said the minors 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 arrest warrant.

The boys’ parents said professionals suggested they “were groomed,” per the warrant. It was later determined, however, that the case did not meet authorities’ acceptance criteria at the time.

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In October 2025, the victims’ mother filed a police report and told Child Protective Services (CPS) that “her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024.” However, according to the warrant, she was initially told that because physical abuse had not occurred, nothing could be done.

During Busfield’s phone interview, investigators determined that Busfield and Gilbert “did have a relationship” with the two victims “and their family outside of work.”

“They advised that they did buy the two boys Christmas gifts and were together [at] several social functions,” Brown wrote in the arrest warrant, referring to statements that Busfield and Gilbert made during an interview held amid an investigation.

In the conclusion of his findings, Brown mentioned the Christmas gift-giving again, writing that Busfield “would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness.”

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Before the recent arrest warrant, Busfield faced prior sexual assault allegations dating back to 1994, according to the warrant. Those allegations did not result in charges.

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Gilbert and Busfield, who is known for his roles in Thirtysomething and The West Wing, wed in 2013.

Representatives for both Gilbert and Busfield have not responded to PEOPLE’s repeated requests for comment.

In a previous statement to PEOPLE, a Warner Bros. Television representative 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] have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement,” the spokesperson added.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.