Timothy Busfield Released From Custody While Awaiting Trial in New Mexico

Timothy Busfield has been released from custody after a judge denied a request to keep him jailed before trial.

Following a two-hour pretrial detention hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in a San Bernalillo, New Mexico district court, the judge ruled that the 68-year-old actor can be released under strict conditions while his case moves forward. Busfield is facing charges related to alleged child sex abuse.

In delivering the decision, the judge said the state did not present enough evidence to prove Busfield posed a continued danger if released. The judge noted there was no established pattern of behavior involving children, no similar allegations from Busfield’s past, and no history of failing to comply with court orders. The court also emphasized that Busfield voluntarily turned himself in, showing cooperation with authorities.

Busfield was released on his own recognizance. As part of his release conditions, he must appear at all future court dates and follow several restrictions. He is prohibited from possessing firearms or dangerous weapons, consuming alcohol or illegal drugs, contacting the alleged victims or their families, discussing the case with witnesses, or having unsupervised contact with any minor children. While he is allowed to travel, he will remain under the supervision of New Mexico Pretrial Services and must keep the court informed of his address.

Busfield’s wife, Melissa Gilbert, attended the hearing and was visibly emotional after the ruling, whispering, “Thank you, God,” in the courtroom. She was joined by her mother Barbara Cowan, her son Michael Boxleitner, Busfield’s civil attorney Larry Stein, and Busfield’s brother, Buck Busfield.

Gilbert previously submitted a letter to the judge in support of her husband. Her letter was one of 75 filed on his behalf opposing the state’s motion for pretrial detention. In it, she described Busfield as her “love” and “partner in business and life,” and asked the court to ensure his safety as the legal process continues.

Busfield was officially charged on Jan. 13 with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor under 13 and one count of child abuse. Prosecutors allege that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys. According to the arrest warrant, one of the boys claimed the alleged abuse began when he was 7.

Busfield turned himself in to authorities on Jan. 13 after an arrest warrant was issued by the Albuquerque Police Department several days earlier. The parents of the boys told police that their children were actors who met Busfield on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady.

Shortly before surrendering, Busfield denied the allegations in a video obtained by TMZ, calling the claims false and saying he intends to fight the charges in court.

Court filings also show that an additional allegation was mentioned in a pretrial detention motion filed on Jan. 14. In that filing, a man reported that Busfield allegedly abused his daughter years earlier. Busfield’s civil attorney stated that those claims are decades old and were never proven.

Busfield’s next court appearances will determine how the case proceeds as he awaits trial under the court’s release conditions.