Melissa Gilbert is celebrating a big legal victory as a New Mexico judge has dismissed a grand jury indictment on child sex abuse charges brought against her husband Timothy Busfield.
Melissa, who has stood by her husband since he was arrested in January 2026 and later charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor, shared the news on Instagram posting two Stories with links to the report.
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New Mexico District Court Judge Joseph Montaño granted The West Wing actor's motion to quash the indictment on Friday, October 16. "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 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."
The motion had been filed on June 15, 2026.
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The decision, however, does not prevent prosecutors from pursuing the allegations a second time. Prosecutors admitted that they have not yet decided whether to pursue another indictment.
"The grand jurors kept asking to hear from the people who were on set with him," Timothy's attorney Amber Fayerberg said in a statement.
"Those witnesses were sitting in the hallway, ready to tell the grand jury what they saw, and what they saw shows that Tim is innocent. The prosecution would not let them in, and the Court saw that for what it was: a violation of the grand jury laws that protect the integrity of our justice system."
HELLO! has contacted reps for Melissa for comment.
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On January 13, 2026, a warrant was issued for his arrest, alleging he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys between late 2022 and early 2024 when he was working as a director and producer on The Cleaning Lady in New Mexico.
He has always denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.
"I didn't do this," he told the jury. "I have never, ever been inappropriate in any way, physically, sexually, in any way with a child, a prepubescent little boy. I'm not attracted to that. I've never been attracted to that."
A trial date had been set for May 2027.
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In July, the 69-year-old actor and director said in his grand jury testimony that he had been "canceled" and could no longer find work, and shared his fears with the 12-member jury that his wife's reputation may also be impacted.
A day later, Melissa – who found fame on the 1970s TV show Little House on the Prairie – announced that she will not be returning to her highly popular Hallmark series, When Calls the Heart, due to alleged "budget cuts."
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"Many people have asked if I will be returning to When Calls the Heart this coming season. The answer to that is no I will not," she wrote on Instagram on Thursday.
"I am told this is due to 'budget issues.' That said, I wish all my sweet friends in Hope Valley a wonderful and successful season 14."
Hallmark Channel said in a statement: "We can confirm that Melissa's storyline on When Calls the Heart concluded in season 13. We adore Melissa and are always grateful when we get to work with her."