Timothy Busfield Granted Release on Own Recognizance Amidst Child Sex Abuse Allegations

A judge has permitted actor Timothy Busfield to be released from jail as he awaits his trial concerning accusations of child sex abuse. The decision was made on Tuesday by state district court Judge David Murphy during a detention hearing. The charges stem from allegations that Busfield engaged in inappropriate touching of a minor while serving as a director on the set of the television series "The Cleaning Lady."

Busfield was released on his own recognizance, meaning he is trusted to appear for future court dates without a bail bond. He will be under the supervision of a pretrial service in Albuquerque. The judge's order allows Busfield to leave the state and return to his residence, provided he adheres to specific conditions. These conditions include a complete prohibition on possessing firearms or drugs and an order to have no contact with the individuals who have made the allegations.

Previously, Busfield, an actor recognized for his roles in "The West Wing," "Field of Dreams," and "Thirtysomething," was held without bond following his initial court appearance. He had previously denied the allegations, calling them false in a video shared before his surrender to authorities.

During Tuesday's hearing, Busfield appeared in an orange jail uniform, handcuffed, in a New Mexico state district court. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, was present in the courtroom gallery.

Gilbert, known for her role as Laura Ingalls in "Little House on the Prairie," is listed as a potential witness for the proceedings.

An arrest warrant for Busfield was issued earlier this month by the Albuquerque police department. The warrant cited two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The criminal complaint specifies that the alleged incidents occurred on the production set of "The Cleaning Lady."

According to the criminal complaint, an investigator detailed that one child reported being touched by Busfield on private areas over clothing on two separate occasions when the child was seven and eight years old. The child's twin brother also informed authorities that he had been touched by Busfield, though he did not provide specifics about the location of the contact, stating he remained silent to avoid trouble.

Busfield's legal team submitted two brief audio recordings on Monday, purportedly from initial police interviews where the children allegedly stated Busfield did not touch their private areas. In a court filing, the attorneys argued that the complaint mischaracterizes these interviews, asserting that an "unequivocal denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure."

The criminal complaint further states that one of the boys disclosed during a therapy session that he had been inappropriately touched by the show's director. These therapy records were reportedly obtained by police during their investigation.

Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch of Bernalillo County argued for Busfield's continued detention, asserting that the evidence of abuse is strong and specific. She stated that the boys' allegations are corroborated by medical findings and their therapist, describing their accounts as specific and not exaggerated.

Brandenburg-Koch also indicated a pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and grooming behavior by Busfield over the last thirty years. Prosecutors also noted that witnesses have expressed concerns about potential retaliation and professional repercussions.

"GPS is not going to tell this court if he is around children or talking to witnesses," Brandenburg-Koch stated, questioning the sufficiency of electronic monitoring alone.

Busfield's attorneys countered that the allegations surfaced only after the boys lost their roles on the TV show, suggesting a potential financial and retaliatory motive behind the claims. Their court filings reportedly detailed a history of alleged fraud by the boys' father and mother, and cited an investigation by Warner Bros. that concluded the allegations were unfounded.