Actor Timothy Busfield’s attorneys say an investigation undermines state’s child sex abuse charges

Actor Timothy Busfield’s legal team argued for his release pending trial on child sex abuse charges, citing an independent investigation that they claim undermines the prosecution’s case, according to court documents filed Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Busfield, known for his roles in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and his Emmy-winning performance in “Thirtysomething,” was ordered held without bond at his initial court appearance Wednesday. The detention came one day after he voluntarily surrendered to authorities to face multiple charges related to alleged inappropriate contact with a minor on a television production set.

The 66-year-old actor and director faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. A detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday will determine whether he remains in custody as the case progresses.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Albuquerque police, the allegations stem from incidents that reportedly occurred on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” a Fox drama series filmed in New Mexico. The complaint states that a child, who was 7 and 8 years old at the times of the alleged incidents, reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately over his clothing. The child’s twin brother also told investigators that Busfield touched him but did not specify where, adding that he remained silent out of fear of getting into trouble.

Prior to surrendering to authorities, Busfield publicly denied the allegations in a video statement, calling them lies. His legal team has now presented a multi-pronged defense strategy in court filings aimed at securing his release.

Defense attorneys claim the allegations emerged only after the children lost their roles on the television production, suggesting both financial motivation and retaliation. The court filings detail what they describe as a history of fraudulent behavior by both parents of the accusers, though specific details of these allegations were not elaborated upon in the public documents.

Busfield’s attorneys highlighted a significant aspect of their defense: an investigation conducted by Warner Bros., the production company behind “The Cleaning Lady.” According to the defense, this corporate investigation found the allegations against Busfield to be unfounded, and independent witnesses corroborated these conclusions. The defense claims prosecutors omitted this investigation from their criminal complaint.

Adding to their argument for release, Busfield’s legal team submitted character reference letters and results from a polygraph test, which they say he passed. The admissibility of polygraph evidence varies significantly by jurisdiction, but New Mexico is among the few states that potentially allow such evidence in criminal proceedings, albeit with strict requirements and ultimate discretion resting with the judge.

Busfield has been married to actress Melissa Gilbert, former star of “Little House on the Prairie,” since 2013. Neither Gilbert nor representatives from Warner Bros. have issued public statements regarding the case as of press time.

The allegations against Busfield come amid heightened scrutiny of workplace behavior in the entertainment industry, though these charges are significantly more serious than many of the misconduct claims that have emerged in recent years.

If convicted, Busfield could face substantial prison time. In New Mexico, criminal sexual contact of a minor is classified as a serious felony offense, with penalties varying based on the specific circumstances and the age of the victim.

The case has attracted national attention due to Busfield’s long-standing career in television and film spanning over four decades, during which he has worked as both an actor and director on numerous productions.