Ruby Rose Issues Blunt Response to Melissa Gilbert’s Support of Timothy Busfield
What To Know
- Ruby Rose publicly criticized Melissa Gilbert for supporting her husband, Timothy Busfield, who faces child sexual abuse charges.
- Gilbert attended Busfield’s pre-trial hearing, expressed emotional support, and submitted a letter to the judge, while online reactions were divided between supporting Gilbert and emphasizing the presumption of innocence.
- Busfield, accused of inappropriately touching two 11-year-old boys, has denied the allegations but faces multiple charges and up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Warning: The following post reports on allegations of child sexual abuse.
Orange is the New Black star Ruby Rose issued a blunt response to Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert‘s support of her husband, Timothy Busfield, amid his child sex abuse charges.
On Tuesday, January 20, Rose, 39 — who played Stella in OITNB — took to Threads with a message about the situation. “Nowhere in my heart, or mind, can I understand the Melissa Gilberts of the world,” she declared.
Her update came the same day that Gilbert, 61, attended a pre-trial detention hearing in New Mexico for Busfield, 68, during which he was granted release on his own recognizance pending his trial. The Laura Ingalls Wilder actress, who sat in the gallery rows behind her husband, cried when the judge announced Busfield’s release after he turned himself in to authorities on January 13.
View on Threads
In the comments, Thread users reacted to Rose’s bold reaction to Gilbert supporting the West Wing actor.
One person shared, “In April, I will celebrate 44 years as an attorney. Let me tell you something. District attorneys would literally do ANYTHING rather than file charges against a wealthy white celebrity. ESPECIALLY CHILD ABUSE CHARGES!!!!!! I believe they refused at least twice. Something absolutely convinced them beyond the shadow of doubt to stick their neck out on the line.”
However, others defended Gilbert, with one writing, “I understand. I wouldn’t believe if my husband was accused of child SA! I’ve lived with him for four years, so I would stand with him until proven otherwise. He’s her partner in life, the kids denied the assault last year. I believe innocent until proven guilty is a real thing.”
A different Threads user echoed, “Innocent until proven guilty. Accusations don’t equal guilt. She is standing by the man she knows him to be. If it turns out he’s not that man then she has a decision to make. Believe the victims and also investigate.”
Meanwhile, yet another follower pointed out, “It would be almost incomprehensible that someone you loved, shared your life and bed with, could possibly do such a thing.”
In addition to attending the detention hearing, Gilbert released a statement in support of Busfield and submitted an emotional letter to the judge to protect her husband while he was in custody.
The Albuquerque Police Department issued a warrant on January 9 for Busfield’s arrest for allegedly inappropriately touching twin 11-year-old boys while filming The Cleaning Lady. The thirtysomething actor has denied all allegations. However, Busfield was charged with one count of child abuse and two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
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.