Melissa Gilbert’s husband, Timothy Busfield, was released from Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, N.M., on Tuesday, Jan. 20. And with that, the Hallmark star is “grateful” that Busfield is no longer behind bars.
“The court hearing was obviously very emotional and stressful,” a source told PEOPLE. “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.”
And with that, Gilbert and Busfield have a large support system, with a “huge group of friends,” who have been checking on them every day.
“Melissa is very grateful for the support. She’ll be attending all the court hearings with Tim. She believes he’s innocent,” the source added.
Timothy Busfield’s Attorney Released A Statement After The Two-Hour Pretrial Detention Hearing
Busfield’s civil attorney, Larry Stein told PEOPLE after the pretrial detention hearing that Gilbert is “very, very excited,” for her husband to be out of prison, while Busfield “can reunite with Melissa.”
Gilbert was pictured in the courtroom during the hearing, sitting with her mother, her son, and Busfield’s brother.
PEOPLE further added that when the judge announced that Busfield was released from prison, she was “seen in the courtroom crying and whispering, ‘Thank you, God.'”
Melissa Gilbert Penned Letter To Judge On Her Husband’s Behalf
GettyGilbert was one of many who sent a letter on Busfield’s behalf to the judge, in which she detailed their love story.
“The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life. 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 wrote. “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.”
And with that, she went into detail about how people are always saying nice things about Busfield.
“Actually, people say that to me in restaurants, on red carpets and in grocery stores too. His former students, tell me he was their favorite teacher ever,” she added. “I cannot tell you how it has warmed my heart over and over again to hear people, from so many different walks of life, tell me they encountered my husband in some way and he is their favorite. He is my favorite.”
Public personal can be wonderful (to family, friends, and acquaintances), and people are capable of having a darker side. Having personally been through such a scenario and watching the same reactions from supporters, the second time he was caught…People finally saw who he was. As a victim of his from the very start, I watched people flock to him and feel so bad for such a great guy who was a wonderful teacher and coach. He was those things …but he also was a pedophile. People think they know others….but they can be easily fooled.
For her sake I hope he is innocent. Being Hollywood this type of behavior is acceptable.
She was so ready to try and Condemn HER PRESIDENT when her own dark secrets were lurking in the closet. Hollywood people need to learn to just do their do their job. They seem to think their opinions matter. Now they want a strike against ICE…Please all of you take your money and get the hell out of OUR COUNTRY> AMERICA LOVE it or LEAVE IT> Look at ELLEN LOOK At ROSIE they are miserable Richard Gere coming home with his tail between his legs. Angelina leaving…BYE….All of you go. We will survive quite well with out you. The COUNTRY will go on quite nicely with out all of you haters. Money doesn’t buy you the right to act like moronic know it alls nor does it give you the right to tell people how to think!!