Actor Timothy Busfield Released from Jail While Awaiting Trial

Actor Timothy Busfield leaves jail after a judge orders his release while he awaits trial on child abuse charges.

Judge Orders Release Pending Child Abuse Case

Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield was released from a New Mexico jail on Tuesday evening after a judge ruled he could await trial outside of custody. The decision came during a pretrial detention hearing in Bernalillo County District Court, where Judge David A. Murphy ordered Busfield’s release on his own recognizance.

Busfield, 68, left the Albuquerque detention center several hours after the ruling. He had turned himself in last week following the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Charges Stem from Allegations on TV Set

Busfield faces one count of child abuse and two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. The charges are based on allegations made by the parents of two boys who appeared on the Fox television series “The Cleaning Lady,” on which Busfield worked as both an actor and director.

According to a criminal complaint, the parents accused Busfield of touching their children inappropriately on multiple occasions while on set. The boys reportedly disclosed the alleged incidents to a therapist and a doctor, describing the details to authorities.

Prosecutors Argue Against Release

During the hearing, Bernalillo County Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch argued that Busfield posed a danger to the community and should remain in custody. She cited what she described as a pattern of conduct and referenced prior allegations of inappropriate behavior made against Busfield by other individuals, though none of those resulted in criminal charges.

The judge said he gave little weight to those past allegations, noting they were not vetted through the legal system and did not involve children.

Defense Pushes Back on Allegations

Busfield has denied all allegations. His attorneys argued that the accusations were part of a retaliation effort by the boys’ parents after the children were not brought back for the show’s final season.

In court filings, defense attorneys submitted affidavits from crew members who said they never observed inappropriate behavior. They also presented audio recordings of police interviews in which the children reportedly said Busfield did not touch them improperly.

Independent Investigation Found No Evidence

Warner Bros., which produced “The Cleaning Lady,” commissioned an independent investigation into the allegations. According to a statement from the investigator leading the probe, no evidence was found to corroborate claims of misconduct, and there was no indication Busfield was ever alone with the children on set.

Prosecutors challenged the credibility of that investigation, arguing that key witnesses were not interviewed.

Personal and Professional Fallout

Busfield’s wife, actor Melissa Gilbert, attended the hearing and submitted a letter of support describing her husband as compassionate and morally grounded. She was visibly emotional in court following the judge’s ruling.

Professionally, Busfield has already faced consequences. A source told NBC News that he will be removed through editing from an upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film. “The Cleaning Lady” concluded its run last year after four seasons.

Case Moves Forward

The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, when one of the boys was between seven and eight years old. Busfield has no prior criminal record, a factor the judge cited in allowing his release.

Busfield will remain free while awaiting trial, where the allegations and evidence will be fully examined in court.