- - 'Little House on the Prairie' Podcast Acknowledges 'Tough Week' After Melissa Gilbert's Husband Timothy Busfield's Arrest

Michelle SteinJanuary 16, 2026 at 2:34 AM

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The Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Podcast acknowledged a "tough week" after Melissa Gilbert's husband Timothy Busfield's arrest for alleged child sex abuse.

On the Thursday, Jan. 15 episode of the podcast, host Pamela Bob sat down with LHOTP stars Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson, and Dean Butler, who played Almanzo Wilder, Laura Ingalls Wilder's (Gilbert) husband.

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After complimenting Arngrim's and Butler's glasses and speaking about who she doesn't like how she looks in glasses, the podcast host switched gears.

"Let me just say this: This has been a tough week in the U.S. of A.," she began. "And I was so glad to watch Little House on the Prairie to feel comforted and warm, and safe, and like there is love and compassion in this universe. So, yay, Little House."

Bob continued, "We always talk about being a safe space. But this week, I really, really... There are some weeks you watch it, and you're like, 'I'm just watching Little House on the Prairie, and then there are some weeks you need to watch Little House on the Prairie to restore your faith in humanity. This is that for me this week."

She did not name Busfield or Gilbert directly, and the "tough week" could have referred to a number of unfortunate headlines—from ICE raids to the killing of Renee Good, to the U.S. clashing with other countries, to any number of unfortunate celebrity news updates.

Related: Little House on the Prairie’s Melissa Gilbert Sends Direct Message to Megyn Kelly’s Epstein Remarks

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, Busfield turned himself in to authorities in New Mexico, ABC News reported after the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) issued an arrest warrant for the West Wing actor, 68, on Jan. 9 Police alleged that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with sibling actors, 11, after he met them on the set of The Cleaning Lady as a director, per People. One of the victims was 7 when the alleged incidents began.

Also on Tuesday, “another victim’s father” reported to law enforcement that Busfield allegedly sexually abused his daughter “several years ago” when she was 16 in Sacramento, Calif.

Gilbert, 61, released a statement through her publicist after her husband turned himself in. It noted that the LHOTP actress is “honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.”

The statement continued, per ABC News, “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time.”

Gilbert starred in all nine seasons of Little House on the Prairie, which aired from 1974 to 1983.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24 hours a day through RAINN‘s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Next: LHOTP’s Melissa Gilbert’s Husband Timothy Busfield Could Face Up to 15 Years in Prison If Convicted

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”