Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly has publicly criticized actress Melissa Gilbert following the announcement that New Mexico authorities issued an arrest warrant for Gilbert’s husband, Timothy Busfield. The warrant is linked to allegations of child abuse involving Busfield, who is accused of grooming and molesting two young boys while directing them in the Fox TV series The Cleaning Lady.
The situation escalated when it was revealed that Gilbert, who has been married to Busfield for twelve years, made a public statement on November 15 while being aware of her husband’s ongoing investigation. At that time, she participated in the viral #iwasfifteen campaign aimed at addressing issues of sexual exploitation of minors in the entertainment industry. Many are now labeling her actions as hypocritical, given the serious nature of the allegations against Busfield.
In her criticism, Kelly took to X (formerly Twitter) to challenge Gilbert’s claims of virtue. She noted that Gilbert’s November post was made despite the actress knowing that her husband was “actively under investigation” for the alleged abuse. According to reports, the allegations against Busfield include inappropriate conduct with eleven-year-old twin boys, one of whom stated that the incidents began when he was just seven years old.
“Melissa Gilbert made sure she got herself in the paper by attacking yours truly for allegedly downplaying the seriousness of Epstein’s abuse of teenagers,” Kelly wrote. “Melissa saw an opportunity to play the ‘avenger’ of victims and she took it, dishonestly attacking and lecturing your reporter on abuse claims in a cynical effort to get some Chips in the Good Person bank.”
The arrest warrant, announced on Friday, detailed information from an affidavit by an Albuquerque police detective, indicating that Gilbert listened in on a phone interview with Busfield conducted on November 3. During this call, Busfield denied the allegations, asserting that the boys’ parents were upset because their children were replaced by younger actors in the show.
The allegations first came to light when a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported a case of sexual abuse in 2024. The victims’ parents were advised to seek professional help, where it was suggested that the boys had been groomed. A year later, the boys’ mother filed a police report stating that her children disclosed incidents of sexual abuse by Busfield from late 2022 to early 2024.
Connections and Consequences
The relationship between Busfield, Gilbert, and the young boys reportedly extended beyond the workplace. The warrant noted that both Gilbert and Busfield had developed personal connections with the boys’ family, exchanging gifts and attending social events together. This detail has intensified scrutiny on Gilbert’s actions, particularly given her vocal stance against sexual abuse in the entertainment industry.
Kelly emphasized that public figures who present themselves as moral guardians often have something to hide. In her remarks, she suggested that Gilbert’s past statements about the #iwasfifteen movement were an attempt to distract from the unfolding allegations against her husband. Following the backlash, Gilbert deleted her Instagram account, prompting further speculation about her response to the situation.
As of Monday morning, it remains unclear whether Busfield has been taken into custody or if he has made arrangements to surrender to authorities. Neither he nor Gilbert has publicly commented on the allegations.
Complicating the matter further, Busfield has faced legal challenges in the past. He was involved in a civil lawsuit concerning allegations of sexual assault against a 17-year-old girl on the set of the 1993 film Little Big League. While he filed a defamation suit against the law firm representing the girl, a federal judge ultimately dismissed his claims and ordered him to pay $150,000.
Despite the controversy, Gilbert and Busfield had previously portrayed a happy marriage. They met in 2012 and married in 2013, sharing moments of joy on social media, including their life together in New York City and their home in the Catskills. In November 2024, Gilbert shared a heartfelt post celebrating their relationship, which now stands in stark contrast to the serious allegations facing her husband.
As the investigation continues, questions loom about what Gilbert knew regarding the allegations prior to making her public statements. The unfolding events serve as a sobering reminder of the complexities surrounding allegations of abuse within the entertainment industry, where personal and professional lives often intersect in troubling ways.
