Timothy Busfield Freed Following Child Abuse Charges

Timothy Busfield, a 68-year-old actor known for his role in “The West Wing,” was released from jail in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after spending one week in custody. He faced serious charges of child sexual abuse, specifically criminal sexual contact with minors. This incident involves twin child actors from the Fox television series “The Cleaning Lady,” which Busfield directed and produced.

Charges of Child Abuse Against Timothy Busfield

Busfield’s arrest was based on an investigation that began in November 2024. Allegations emerged that the child actors were potentially “groomed” by Busfield, who was affectionately referred to by the boys as “Uncle Tim.” According to the claims, he reportedly engaged in inappropriate behavior, including unwanted touching while on set.

Court Proceedings and Reactions

During the court hearing, Busfield appeared disoriented, wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles. Judge David Murphy, after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, ordered Busfield’s release, highlighting the need to protect minors while noting that the evidence was not conclusively against him. The prosecution referred to his prior history of sexual misconduct allegations, emphasizing the gravity of the current charges.

• Prosecutors: Argued for continued custody based on the serious nature of the allegations.
• Defense: Maintained that the accusations were fabricated and that Busfield had passed a polygraph test.
• Judge’s Conclusion: Determined that he could set conditions of release that would mitigate further risk to potential victims.

Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, expressed her relief through tears as the judge’s decision was announced. The defense team countered the accusations by stating that the evidence was weak and provided testimony from crew members saying they had not seen Busfield behave inappropriately.

Background and Context

The investigation into Busfield’s conduct included testimony from the parents of the young actors, who were accused of conspiring against him after he replaced their sons with younger actors on “The Cleaning Lady.” An additional incident surfaced involving a father reporting that Busfield had sexually assaulted his daughter during auditions years prior.

In addition to the legal arguments, Busfield’s team submitted numerous character references and an adult psychosexual evaluation indicating he posed a low risk. They continue to assert his innocence as the case unfolds.