{"id":3808,"date":"2026-01-18T04:30:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T04:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/timothy-busfields-stepson-says-hes-shown-up-more-than-bio-dad\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T04:30:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T04:30:35","slug":"timothy-busfields-stepson-says-hes-shown-up-more-than-bio-dad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/timothy-busfields-stepson-says-hes-shown-up-more-than-bio-dad\/","title":{"rendered":"Timothy Busfield\u2019s Stepson Says He\u2019s ‘Shown Up’ More Than Bio Dad"},"content":{"rendered":"


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As Timothy Busfield<\/strong> faces charges of alleged child sex abuse, Melissa Gilbert<\/strong>\u2019s youngest son, Michael Boxleitner<\/strong>, called his stepfather a \u201chero\u201d in a character letter written to a judge.<\/p>\n

Michael, 30 \u2014\u00a0 son of the Little House on the Prairie<\/em> alum, 61, and actor Bruce Boxleitner<\/strong> \u2014 found himself \u201coverwhelmed with emotion\u201d and \u201cflooded with so many memories\u201d of his teen years spent with his mother and his stepfather as he struggled to find the words to describe Busfield.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe answer that keeps coming back to me is that Timothy Busfield is my hero,\u201d he wrote, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly<\/em> on Friday, January 16. \u201cEver since we met, he has shown up for me as a father more in the 15 years I\u2019ve known him than my own biological father ever has in the entirety of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dubbing him \u201ckind\u201d and \u201cthoughtful,\u201d Michael said Timothy \u201ccarries himself with a stalwart integrity\u201d that he\u2019d been able to witness, not only as his step-son, but also as an actor. He said his stepfather makes \u201ceveryday at work worth showing up for\u201d and that he \u201ccreates a space where all feel welcome and equal\u201d while still \u201cfilling the days with light and laughter\u201d and maintaining a \u201cprofessional setting.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Related: <\/span>Who Are Timothy Busfield\u2019s Kids? All About the Actor’s Family<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tTimothy Busfield was a dad of three before forming a blended family with wife Melissa Gilbert. Busfield was first married to ex-wife Radha Delamarter from 1981 to 1986. The pair welcomed son Wilson during that time. Following his split from Delamarter, Busfield moved on with Jennifer Merwin, whom he wed in 1988. They welcomed Samuel [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Michael continued, \u201cYour honor, the quality of Tim\u2019s character is unlike anyone I\u2019ve ever known, and probably ever will know. There is no man on this earth more worthy of respect, kindness and care in my eyes. Despite all of the times that he has stepped up for me, right now in this moment, I feel so powerless to do the same for him, so I ask you your honor to please take care of him for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Timothy Busfield<\/span> Steven Ferdman\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Melissa also wrote a letter praising the West Wing<\/em> actor, 68, as a father figure. Noting that her youngest son was a \u201cfull blown, angst-ridden teenager trying to figure out his place in the world\u201d when they got married, she said Timothy \u201cnurtured and guided Michael\u201d over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe admonished, praised, loved, consoled, cajoled, fretted, cared for, and fed my son both physically and spiritually,\u201d the 61-year-old added. \u201cI will never be able to express the depth of gratitude I have to God for bringing this wonderful human into our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Us<\/em> previously reported, the Thirtysomething<\/em> alum was taken into police custody on January 13 after being accused of inappropriately touching two twin boys multiple times on the set of The Cleaning Lady<\/em> from 2022 to 2024.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s denied all charges and his legal team is currently fighting his pretrial incarceration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe state offers no reliable proof \u2014only allegations advanced by witnesses with documented histories of fraud and financial exploitation, contradicted by a comprehensive studio investigation, and refuted by witnesses and objective risk assessments,\u201d the court filing obtained by Us read. \u201cThe Constitution does not allow liberty to be forfeited on such a foundation. The state\u2019s motion should be denied.\u201d<\/p>\n

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