Timothy Busfield appears in court on child sex abuse charges and will be held without bond
Photo: AP
Actor-director Timothy Busfield made his first court appearance on Wednesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a high-profile child sex abuse case and was ordered to remain in custody without bond as the legal process unfolds. The 68-year-old, known for roles in The West Wing, Thirtysomething and Field of Dreams, appeared remotely via video link from jail, where he was booked after surrendering to authorities earlier this week.
Busfield is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, relating to allegations that he inappropriately touched two young cast members, 11-year-old twin boys — while directing episodes of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady between 2022 and 2024. The criminal complaint says one of the boys reported being touched multiple times on private areas over his clothing, while his brother also described inappropriate contact.
At the brief hearing, Busfield did not enter a plea and remained silent as his attorney spoke on his behalf. Prosecutors urged that he be kept in custody pending trial, telling the court that no conditions could reasonably ensure community safety given the nature of the charges and concerns about alleged abuse of authority. A detention hearing is expected within five business days, with a preliminary hearing set for later this month.
Before turning himself in on Tuesday, Busfield released a video online denying the allegations and calling them “lies,” a statement echoed by his legal team, which said he passed an independent polygraph test, a claim his attorneys say supports his position, though its admissibility will be up to the court.
@tmz 🚨Breaking: Timothy Busfield is appearing in a New Mexico court for the first time today, after surrendering on charges of child abuse and criminal sexual contact with a minor ... and we have a livestream straight from the courtroom. Full story at the link in bio.
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The case has also drawn attention due to additional accusations emerging in court filings, including an allegation involving a 16-year-old girl in Sacramento from years earlier. Prosecutors have characterised their filings as illustrating a pattern of alleged misconduct, while defence lawyers maintain their client will vigorously contest the charges.
Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has refrained from commenting publicly on the ongoing case, citing legal advice, even as Warner Bros. Television and law enforcement continue their respective involvement in the investigation.