Actor Timothy Busfield, recognized for his performances in television series such as The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, is scheduled for a detention hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, concerning child sex abuse charges. These charges arise from allegations that Busfield inappropriately touched a minor during the filming of a TV series.
The hearing, set for Tuesday, may feature testimony from Busfield's wife, Melissa Gilbert, well-known for her portrayal of Laura Ingalls in the television series Little House on the Prairie. Gilbert is listed as a potential witness and could provide statements during the proceedings.
Busfield, who directed the series The Cleaning Lady, filmed in Albuquerque, was arrested earlier this month following the issuance of a warrant by Albuquerque police. The warrant includes two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. In a prior video statement issued before turning himself in, Busfield denied the allegations, labeling them as falsehoods.
At his initial court appearance last week, Busfield was ordered to be held without bond.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators state that a minor reported being touched by Busfield on private areas over his clothing on two separate occasions: once at age seven and again at age eight. Additionally, the minor's twin brother informed authorities that he was also touched by Busfield; however, he did not specify the location and cited fear of getting into trouble as the reason for not reporting earlier.
On Monday, Busfield's legal team submitted audio recordings from initial police interviews with the children, in which the minors deny any contact involving private areas. His attorneys contend that the complaint misinterprets the interviews as nondisclosure of abuse, emphasizing that the children provided an unequivocal denial rather than silence.
Further details from the complaint note that one of the boys disclosed inappropriate touching by the show's director during therapy sessions, with these records having been obtained by law enforcement during their investigation.
Busfield's defense has challenged the timing and motivations behind the allegations, noting that the claims surfaced only after both boys lost their roles in the television production, suggesting a possible retaliatory and financial incentive. Court filings also highlight a purported history of fraudulent behavior by both parents of the minors and reference a Warner Bros. investigation that concluded the allegations were unfounded.
Supporting his defense, Busfield has submitted letters attesting to his character, and his attorneys announce he has passed an independent polygraph examination. Legal experts note that while New Mexico permits polygraph evidence in criminal cases, admission is subject to a judge's discretion and must satisfy strict evidentiary standards.