“When Calls the Heart” guest star Melissa Gilbert continues to have the support of fans amid a difficult personal situation.
On January 13, TMZ reported that Gilbert’s husband, Timothy Busfield, surrendered himself to the Albuquerque Police Department. As his legal issues unfold, a new statement emerged that prompted Gilbert’s fans to once again voice their support for her.
After Busfield turned himself in, the Hallmark star’s representative released a statement via People on her client’s behalf. The statement indicated that Gilbert was standing by her husband as his legal case proceeded.
Modern Prairie, a company Gilbert co-founded, has also since released statements via its social media pages addressing the complicated situation. After Busfield’s surrender and Modern Prairie’s statement, the company also officially canceled a virtual event that the company had planned with Gilbert.
Modern Prairie Is Respecting the Privacy of Melissa Gilbert & Her Family
The statement was posted on both Modern Prairie’s Instagram and Facebook pages. It reads, “Modern Prairie is aware of recent media reports regarding serious allegations involving a family member of our brand muse, Melissa Gilbert.”
“These allegations do not involve Modern Prairie, our operations, nor our community,” the statement continued.
Modern Prairie was created by Gilbert and Nicole Haase, who wanted to create a community to “celebrate women in every season of life.” The brand sells clothing, accessories, kitchen items, and home decor, but it also provides a community to like-minded women.
There are workshops made available to Modern Prairie supporters, an app, a Spotify channel, and a section of the website titled “Melissa’s Corner.” In that section, Gilbert regularly shares blog posts, recipes, and the like for Modern Prairie followers.
The company’s statement posted on social media noted, “Modern Prairie unequivocally condemns abuse in all forms and remains committed to values of safety, integrity, and respect.”
“While these matters are personal and do not directly involve Melissa or the brand, we are respecting the privacy of the family as they navigate a difficult and personal situation,” Modern Prairie noted.
The statement continued, “Our focus remains on supporting our community and continuing our work with care, responsibility, and intention.”
The Instagram post shared by Modern Prairie received over 5,000 “likes” in a matter of hours. It appeared the company turned off the ability to comment, but the volume of likes on the post signaled significant support from customers and fans.
Melissa Gilbert’s Fans Are Finding Ways to Send Their Love & Support
On Facebook, over 10,000 people left reactions on the post, using primarily red heart and hug emojis. Comments on the post were restricted. Though dozens had been left at some point, none were publicly visible.
A “Modern Prairie Official” Facebook group containing over 6,000 supporters was filled with notes of support for Gilbert. Fans have also commented on previous social media posts shared by Modern Prairie to signal their support.
“You have many, many people that love you and that are praying for you. Lean on God’s Almighty arms,” one fan posted on January 11.
A post added after Modern Prairie posted its statement read, “Melissa, I’m so sorry this is going on. It must feel like a nightmare. Time will help heal the situation. I just wanted you to know that people care about you and we [are] out here support[ing] you and your family.”
Another fan added, “We all have your back Melissa and Tim and family god bless you halfpint,” referencing the nickname Gilbert had on “Little House on the Prairie.”
Someone else wrote, “I stand by you, Tim, and your family. Wholeheartedly. Love to you. Stay strong.”
Gilbert deactivated her personal Instagram account amid the legal issues her husband faces. Her representative, Ame Van Iden, provided a statement to People on Gilbert’s behalf.
The statement noted Gilbert was “honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.” In addition, the statement indicated, Gilbert’s focus is “on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment.”
“Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time,” Van Iden noted.
I’m not happy with Melissa still being involved with WCTH. I think she knew that things were going on with her husband and she knew of his past allegations. Please think about it before keeping her on the show. I’ve been a WCTH fan since the beginning.
I agree. She’s also tried to deflect attention with comments on sexual abuse while she knew her husband was being investigated. Actually, I’ve worked with both her and her husband in the past and this makes me sad.
She didn’t commit a crime. Would you like to be condemned and lose a job for your husband’s or children’s crime, and ostracized by your neighbors? I hope you get your own medicine to realize what you’re saying here.
I am sorry but with her husband’s previous accusations (including a payout to a woman) I cannot condone keeping her on the show while the investigations are ongoing because it stated yesterday that the twin boys were given gifts by Melissa and were at their home. Until the investigation is concluded she should be dropped like Hallmark dropped Lori Laughlin.
Lori was guilty of a crime personally. Melissa did not molest those kids. Do you think her husband would tell her ” oh, honey, I just molested 2 kids, just so you know”?
And regarding Lori, she was made an example for others coz of her popularity. Don’t you think bribery in colleges and universities did not exists before Lori braved the uni to get her daughters in? Bribery is rampant where businesses are involved, private or public, but they put her on the spot for something that’s been happening for many years. I’m not condoning bribery or molesting children, but don’t condemn family members not involved in the alleged crime, which is yet to be investigated. Not all children are angels, some lie, bully other kids, badmouth their parents and siblings, prank their teachers, etc.; just look at those records in juvy or schools.
Innocent until proven guilty. No one knows what exactly happened unless you were there. You can think all you want, doesn’t make it true.
Let the truth come out before you Judge .
You’re defending a child molester. Do you hear yourself?
Melissa is not the guilty person. Would you like people to persecute you for another family member’s alleged crime? Why should she be punished and lose a job for being the wife of the accused? If you’re the alleged offender, would you be telling your wife or family members, “by the way. I molested 2 kids, just so you know”? It’s crazy these people condemn innocent family members. Also, it’s not proven yet. Just because kids said they were touched inappropriately by someone doesn’t make it true. They could have been coached by parents or others with bad intentions or for money. Anyone at any age can make accusations, whether it really happened or not. There are 3 sides to an argument, his, the kids’, and the truth.
The kids side is the truth. How dare you?!
Judge not lest ye be judged. It will all come out in the wash as they say. It was not Melissa’s fault for what might or might not have happened. It is not right to condemn her for what her husband may have done. It was his choice to do the things that might have happened and his alone. Leave her alone, she is just as much a victim as the children are in this matter.
What did she know, and when did she know it? I will reserve judgment until those facts are known.