Melissa Gilbert shared a cryptic message with her followers amid a fresh update in her husband’s legal proceedings.
The same day that news broke on Friday, October 16, that a judge had dismissed Timothy Busfield’s indictment on child sexual abuse charges, Gilbert, 62, took to social media.
“So shines a good deed in a weary world,” read a message shared via her Instagram grid on Friday.
Posting to her Instagram Story, Gilbert also shared the New York Times’ coverage of her husband’s case. The publication’s headline reads, “Judge Dismisses Child Sexual Abuse Charges Against Timothy Busfield.”
According to court documents obtained by Us on Friday, Judge Joseph Montaño granted Busfield’s motion to quash the indictment on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor.
“The prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner, including the failure to properly instruct the grand jury on the law for calling witnesses and in instructing the grand jurors on a procedure that effectively withheld requested witnesses,” the judge wrote in court documents, citing prosecutorial misconduct and errors that compromised the legal process. “In doing so, the grand jury proceedings were conducted in a manner that violated grand jury statutes designed to protect the structural integrity of our grand jury system and the presumption of prejudice applies.”
However, the state remains free to institute new criminal proceedings against Busfield, 69, per the filing.
“Our office has received the order and is evaluating our options to determine how we will proceed,” Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Nancy Laflin said in a statement to People.
Us has reached out to Busfield’s team for additional comment.
Gilbert has been supportive of Busfield, who was first indicted on child sex abuse charges by a grand jury in February. The actor was accused of touching a child actor inappropriately in incidents that allegedly occurred on the set of The Cleaning Lady between late 2022 and early 2024, according to the Albuquerque Police Department affidavit obtained by Us. (The West Wing actor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.)
Shortly after her husband’s arrest, a rep for Gilbert said, in a statement, “During this period, her 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.”
Gilbert also defended Busfield in an interview with Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos in April.
“[He’s] the last person in the world who would hurt a child. And believe me, if I thought for a second that Tim Busfield hurt a child, he’d have a lot more to worry about than prison,” Gilbert said at the time. She added, “I am 100 percent confident he will be exonerated.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
