Melissa Gilbert wrote an emotional letter to the judge in support of her husband, Tim Busfield, saying that it was the “strangest” thing she had ever had to write — nonetheless, necessary.
People reported that a new filing with Busfield’s response to the state’s motion for pretrial detention, submitted on Friday, Jan. 16, led Gilbert and over 70 others to send the judge letters defending “The West Wing” actor.
In Gilbert’s lengthy letter, she explained how she fell in love with Busfield in 2012 after having met in the ‘80s.
‘He Is My Comfort’
Getty“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,” the actress wrote.
She went on to describe Busfield’s “moral compass,” painting him as one of the sweetest individuals she knows. “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,” Gilbert expressed. “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 added that his commitment to his work in film is respected by many. She said Busfield is the “favorite director” of “multiple people,” adding, “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. 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.”
Melissa Gilbert Asks Judge to ‘Protect’ Husband Tim Busfield
GettyThe “Little House on the Prairie” star mentioned Busfield’s devotion to their son, Michael, who the “Field of Dreams” actor became stepfather to when he began his relationship with Gilbert.
“Michael was a teenager when Tim and I got together,” she wrote. “A full blown, angst-ridden teenager trying to figure out his place in the world. Tim nurtured and guided Michael. He admonished, praised, loved, consoled, cajoled, fretted, cared for, and fed my son both physically and spiritually. I will never be able to express the depth of gratitude I have to God for bringing this wonderful human into our lives.”
Gilbert ended her letter to the judge by expressing her desire to keep her husband “safe” amid the chaotic circumstance. “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,” she said.
“So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband,” Gilbert added. “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 you to protect him for me.”
It is very hard to accept often that a family member can be a pedophile. Every pedophile has a family. They are across all professions, cultures, races, economic levels. As the daughter and victim of a pedophile who watched their family, friends, and community support him and write letters of support and speak out publicly, it can take years for people to face the truth about their loved ones. Sheltering and supporting them feels so right but all it does is cover up their horrible actions. They do not stop. Reality is painful but there comes a peace eventually that will come. That energy can go to survivors and to making sure everyone is safe- in the community you are part of and in your own family. Secrets are shed and real living and love can occur when all that defending stops.
What about the kids. Your speaking for your husband. Saying he’s. Your rock. Well who are those kids rock. Imagine what they went through. We know you love a d support your husband. But think a bout what happened to those poor kids. Truth be told. Stand up for them as well. If this happened. He deserves jail time.
It’s a sad situation. He’s in jail, without bail, on child molesting charges. He will be a sitting duck to those who frown on those. I feel bad for all of them involved & his family, & their own kids. Hopefully this gets cleared up soon. May God watch over them
Good. Maybe don’t touch kids if you don’t want to be a target.
Innocent I know he’s innocent just let it play out in court ,
You know he’s innocent? So you’re calling his victims liars? Disgusting.
The children whose parents have committed fraud numerous times? The ones with a dad disbarred from law because of fraud? What about the mother who vowed to get revenge because her two boys were passed by for another child actor? Or the dad who encouraged adults to hug his boys? The truth is coming to light.