Melissa Gilbert's Modern Prairie Brand Addresses Timothy Busfield Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: 'These Matters Are Personal' By Charna Flam

Melissa Gilbert’s clothing brand, Modern Prairie, has issued a statement following the arrest of her husband, Timothy Busfield.

On Jan. 9, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) issued an arrest warrant for Busfield in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of 11-year-old twin boys, whose identities were withheld from the public. The parents of the victims said the boys met Busfield on the set of the Fox series, The Cleaning Lady, after Busfield joined as a director in season 2, according to the arrest warrant.

Busfield, 68, turned himself in on Tuesday, Jan. 13, PEOPLE previously confirmed. He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, according to the arrest warrant previously obtained by PEOPLE.

Hours later, on Jan. 13, Gilbert’s decor and clothing brand, Modern Prairie, issued a statement on the situation on Instagram.

“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 said.

“Modern Prairie unequivocally condemns abuse in all forms and remains committed to values of safety, integrity, and respect.”

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Modern Prairie reiterated, “These matters are personal and do not directly involve Melissa or the brand,” adding that the company is “respecting the privacy of the family as they navigate a difficult and personal situation.”

“Our focus remains on supporting our community and continuing our work with care, responsibility, and intention,” the statement concluded. 

The statement follows Gilbert’s first comments on her husband’s arrest, which were shared by Gilbert’s representative, Ame Van Iden, on her behalf.

“She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds,” Van Iden said. “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. We ask that their privacy be respected.”

Busfield also denied the sexual abuse allegations in a video obtained by TMZ on Tuesday. “I did not do anything to those little boys,” he said.

“I’m gonna confront these lies. They’re horrible,” he continued, “I’m gonna fight it. I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies. So hang in there and hopefully I’m out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you.”

Busfield’s civil attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, also called the allegations “false and deeply troubling” in a statement to PEOPLE.

Additionally, Busfield allegedly told police that the alleged victims’ parents were upset their sons had been replaced with a younger actor who auditioned for The Cleaning Lady. Busfield further alleged that an actress on the show told him that the mother of the alleged victims “wanted revenge,” per the warrant.

APD Officer Marvin Brown alleged in a warrant that the twins were the subject of sex crimes by Busfield. One of the minors alleged that the incidents began when he was 7 years old, per the arrest warrant.

The alleged victims’ parents said the boys met Busfield on the set of The Cleaning Lady, after Busfield joined as a director in season 2 and “grew closer” to them, according to the arrest warrant. The second season aired in 2022 and was filmed in New Mexico.

The “children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024,” their mother alleged in an October 2025 police report. She also told Child Protective Services (CPS) about the alleged abuse.

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However, the investigation into the allegations began on Nov. 1, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) alerted officers about a case of alleged sexual abuse.

Professionals suggested the boys “were groomed,” per the warrant. It was later determined that the case did not meet the authorities’ acceptance criteria at the time.

After their mother filed a police report in October, she was initially told that because physical abuse had not occurred, nothing could be done, according to the warrant.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.