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Melissa Gilbert has returned to her role at Modern Prairie with a heartfelt message to fans after stepping away to support her family amid her husband Timothy Busfield’s child sex abuse charges.
Gilbert expressed gratitude for the support from the Modern Prairie community and emphasized her ongoing commitment to both her family and the company’s mission of empowering women.
Timothy Busfield was indicted on four counts of criminal sexual conduct involving twin boys, has denied the allegations, and is awaiting trial after being released from jail.
Warning: The following post reports on allegations of child sexual abuse.
Melissa Gilbert officially returned to her lifestyle brand Modern Prairie — and the Little House on the Prairie star sent an emotional message to fans amid her husband Timothy Busfield‘s child sex abuse charges.
On Monday, February 16, Gilbert, 61, took to Modern Prairie’s Instagram account with a video announcing the resumption of her duties after stepping away.
“As Melissa steps back into her role as Chief Creative Officer, our purpose remains unchanged: building a lifestyle platform rooted in connection, creativity, dignity, and strength,” Modern Prairie captioned its post. “Modern Prairie has always been about more than one person. It’s about community. It’s about shared stories. It’s about women supporting women through every season of life.”
The post continued, “Our work remains the same: to create meaningful products, thoughtful gatherings, and spaces where women feel seen, supported, and inspired. This is what we do. We remain grounded in our mission — together.”
In the accompanying video, Gilbert addressed fans and supporters. “Hi, everyone. I wanted to take a moment to speak to you directly,” she began. “As many of you know, I stepped away for a little while to focus on my family. It was time I needed, time to be present, to tend to what matters most, and to gather my strength in a season that has not been easy.”
Gilbert added, “Family is everything to me, and during this incredibly difficult time, I leaned into that truth fully. But something else carried me, too. You did. This extraordinary community at Modern Prairie. You wrapped me in love, even when I was quiet. I felt your prayers. I felt your encouragement. I felt your steady presence.”
Toward the end of the video, the former Laura Ingalls Wilder actress shared, “Coming back to work does not change my commitment or my resolve in the journey that lies ahead for my family. That remains steadfast. That remains my heart. But it is important for me to step back into this work. It strengthens my mindset. It gives me purpose. It reminds me of who I am beyond hard days.”
She concluded, “So let’s get back at it, together.”
In January, shortly after Busfield’s arrest warrant made headlines, Gilbert deactivated her personal Instagram account and stepped away from her Modern Prairie role.
Her West Wing star husband, 68, was indicted by a grand jury on February 6 on four counts of criminal sexual conduct following allegations that he inappropriately touched twin boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady. Busfield was released from jail on January 20 as he awaits trial.
In a video published by TMZ, Busfield denied the allegations.
“I’m going to confront these lies,” he declared. “They’re horrible. They’re all lies. And I did not do anything to those little boys, and I’m going to fight it. I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to be exonerated.”
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network‘s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is the victim of child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453). If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.