Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield’s attorneys told a court Friday he should be released while he awaits the outcome of child 𝒔𝒆𝒙 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 charges against him because an independent investigation undermined the state’s 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈, the parents of his accusers have a history of fraud and dishonesty, and he passed a polygraph test.
Busfield was ordered held without bond at his first court appearance Wednesday, a day after he turned himself in to face charges stemming from 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈 that he inappropriately touched a minor on the set of a TV series he was directing in New Mexico.
A judge will hold a detention hearing on Tuesday to determine whether Busfield will remain in jail.
Timothy Busfield appears in court on child 𝒔𝒆𝒙𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 charges in New Mexico.Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Albuquerque police issued a warrant for his arrest last week on two counts of criminal 𝒔𝒆𝒙𝒖𝒂𝒍 contact of a minor and one count of child 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮.
A criminal complaint alleges the acts occurred on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady,” which was filmed in the city.
In a video shared before turning himself in, Busfield called the 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈 lies. Busfield, who is married to actor Melissa Gilbert, is known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething.”
According to the criminal complaint, an investigator with the police department says the child reported Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7 years old and another time when he was 8.
The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble.
The child reported Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7 years old and another time when he was 8.via REUTERS
Busfield is married to actor Melissa Gilbert.melissagilbert/Instagram
Busfield’s attorneys said in court filings that the 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈 against him emerged only after the boys lost their role in the TV show, creating a financial and retaliatory motive.
The filings detailed what the attorneys said was a history of fraud by both the father and mother.
They cited an investigation by Warner Bros. into the 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈, which they said prosecutors didn’t include in their criminal complaint, found the 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃𝓈 unfounded.
Independent witnesses supported the report’s conclusions, the court filings said.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman speaks on the charges against Timothy Busfield on Jan. 15, 2026.AP.
Busfield also submitted letters vouching for his character. His passing of the polygraph test aligns with the other information submitted, his attorneys said.
Legal experts say New Mexico is among a few states that allow polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but a judge has final say over whether one can be used.
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