Melissa Gilbert, the actress known for her role in "Little House on the Prairie," has vacated her Upper West Side apartment in New York City after eight years. The move, announced via Instagram on June 23, 2024, coincides with ongoing legal proceedings involving her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, who is currently contesting criminal charges filed in New Mexico.
The Move from New York City
Gilbert announced her departure from the Manhattan residence in a social media update, citing a transition to living full-time at her home in upstate New York. She described the move as a fond farewell to the city, noting that while she and Busfield plan to return, they are prioritizing their upstate residence for the foreseeable future.
"So long perfect little one bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side," Gilbert wrote in her post. She highlighted her attachment to the neighborhood, specifically mentioning local businesses like her newsstand, bodega, and dry cleaners. Gilbert has been married to Busfield since 2013.
Legal Proceedings Against Timothy Busfield
The relocation occurs as Timothy Busfield faces serious legal challenges. In February 2024, a New Mexico grand jury indicted the West Wing actor on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child. The charges stem from alleged incidents occurring between late 2022 and early 2024, during which time Busfield was working as a director on the Fox series The Cleaning Lady.
According to court documents filed on June 18, 2024, Busfield’s legal team has formally requested that the court dismiss the indictment. The motion, obtained by USA TODAY, argues that the state’s prosecution is "fundamentally unsound" and lacks sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
Defense Strategy and Public Response
Larry Stein, an attorney representing Busfield, has maintained his client’s innocence since the charges were made public. In a statement provided to the press, Stein characterized the case as having "fatal weaknesses" and argued that the evidence presented during preliminary hearings did not support the grand jury’s decision to indict.
Gilbert has publicly supported her husband throughout the legal process. In an April 2024 interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, she stated that she was "100% confident" that Busfield would be exonerated. "If I thought for a second that Tim Busfield hurt a child, he’d have a lot more to worry about than prison," she told the network.
Context of the Prosecution
The case against Busfield centers on allegations involving two minor actors who were on the set of The Cleaning Lady. While prosecutors contend that the evidence warrants a trial, the defense maintains that the prosecution is motivated by factors outside of the established facts. As of late June 2024, the motion to dismiss the indictment remains pending before the New Mexico court. The legal battle highlights the contrast between the defense’s assertion of a flawed prosecution and the state’s decision to move forward with felony charges.
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