Melissa Gilbert Defends Husband Timothy Busfield In First Interview Since Child Sex Abuse Charges

Melissa Gilbert, who is joined to character Timothy Busfield, is speaking retired for nan first clip since her hubby was charged pinch kid activity abuse.

In a preview of an question and reply pinch Gilbert connected "Good Morning America," Gilbert said nan past fewer months person been "the astir traumatizing acquisition of our lives."

The afloat question and reply is group to aerial connected "Good Morning America" connected Monday.

When asked by "GMA" big George Stephanopoulos why she is speaking retired now, Gilbert said: "It's time."

Melissa Gilbert and her hubby Timothy Busfield successful Monte-Carlo successful 2023.Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images file

"Our life arsenic we knew it is done. We are grieving what we had. All of our plans, each of our dreams, each of our ideas, each of our projects," Gilbert said, according to "GMA."

"For Tim, it's done. He's canceled ... moreover if he's exonerated, he will ever beryllium that guy. The past personification successful nan world who would wounded a child," she said.

Gilbert continued, "And judge me, if I thought for a 2nd that Tim Busfield wounded a child, he'd person a batch much to interest astir than prison."

Busfield and Gilbert, some actors, joined successful 2013. Busfield is possibly astir good known for his domiciled arsenic Danny Concannon successful "The West Wing."

In February, Busfield was indicted by a expansive assemblage successful New Mexico connected 4 counts of criminal intersexual interaction of a child, nan Bernalillo County District Attorney’s agency said successful a property merchandise astatine nan time.

At nan time, Busfield's lawyer, Larry Stein, said nan indictment was "not unexpected."

"As nan saying goes, a expansive assemblage will indict a ham sandwich," Stein said successful a connection successful February. "What is profoundly concerning is that nan District Attorney is choosing to proceed connected a lawsuit that is fundamentally unsound and cannot beryllium proven astatine trial."

"This prosecution appears driven by thing different than nan facts aliases nan law," Stein said. "Mr. Busfield will conflict these charges astatine each shape and looks guardant to testing nan State's lawsuit successful unfastened tribunal — wherever grounds matters — not down closed doors."

The indictment came astir a period aft Busfield turned himself in and was charged pursuing activity maltreatment accusations made by 2 children whom Busfield had worked with.

The children reported that Busfield allegedly touched them inappropriately connected nan group of nan Fox bid "The Cleaning Lady," according to Busfield's apprehension warrant.

Busfield has denied nan claims, and pleaded not blameworthy to nan charges. His proceedings is expected to statesman adjacent May.