Melissa Gilbert was 'sick with worry' over Timothy Busfield's safety in jail following child sex abuse charges

Melissa Gilbert feared for husband Timothy Busfield's safety while he was behind bars facing child sex abuse charges.

The Little House on the Prairie star, 61, was 'sick with worry' over what could have happened to Busfield had he remained incarcerated while awaiting trial, per People.

But after spending seven days behind bars in a New Mexico jail, the West Wing actor, 68, was released on January 20 and that comes as a huge relief to his wife, who has been living in a 'nightmare' since Busfield's arrest.

'The court hearing was obviously very emotional and stressful,' a source told the outlet.

'Things are clearly far from over, but the main focus of getting Tim out of jail was accomplished. They’re both very grateful. Melissa has been sick with worry that something would happen to him in jail.'

According to the source, the couple have a strong support system as they formulate a defense strategy with their lawyer.

'They have this huge group of friends that support and check in on them every day. Melissa is very grateful for the support. She'll be attending all the court hearings with Tim,' the source said, adding: 'She believes he's innocent.'

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Gilbert and Busfield for comment and has yet to hear back. 

Gilbert has stood firmly beside her husband whom she wed in April 2013 since he turned himself into police on January 13.

At the hearing on January 20, Gilbert was there in the courtroom audience surrounded by her 89-year-old mom Barbara Cowan, her 30-year-old son Michael Boxleitner and Busfield’s civil lawyer Larry Stein.

When the judge announced his ruling that Busfield should be released on his own recognizance, a teary Gilbert clasped her hands and whispered, 'Thank you, God.'

Busfield’s reprieve comes with a list of conditions. While he is allowed to leave New Mexico to live at home, he must appear at all court proceedings and keep the court informed of his whereabouts.

He remains under the supervision of the Albuquerque pretrial services. He must have no contact with the alleged victims or their families and no unsupervised contact with any minor children, and he is forbidden from possessing any firearms or weapons, or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.

On January 13, the actor and director best known for the West Wing and thirtysomething was officially charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor – child under 13 – and one count of child abuse.

The charges stem from allegations that he inappropriately touched two twin boys – seven and eight at the time - who were child actors on the set of Fox’s The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed from 2022 to 2024.

Busfield vehemently denied the charges in a video statement to TMZ.

'They're all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies,' he said.

Before his pretrial detention hearing, Gilbert penned an emotional letter of support for Busfield to the judge on the case.

'The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,' Gilbert wrote. 'He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.'

She added, 'I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way.

'Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion.'

Gilbert continued: 'I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me. I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over. I can't help it.

'I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband.

'As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart, I am relying on your to protect him for me.'

Ahead of the hearing, a source told People that 'the past week has been a nightmare for Melissa.'

'She's very concerned about Tim in jail. She wants him out so he's safe. The detention facility where he's being held has safety issue complaints. Her focus is to try and get him out this week,' the source described.

Upon’s Busfield’s release, his civil lawyer Larry Stein told the outlet that his clients were extremely relieved following the judge’s ruling but noted they’re 'still in shock' and 'still distressed' and taking 'one day at a time.'