Timothy Busfield is facing a child sex-abuse case after allegations that he touched a minor on the set of a New Mexico television series. The actor, known for The West Wing, Field of Dreams and Thirtysomething, was ordered held without bond at his first court appearance. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, will attend the upcoming detention hearing and has sent a letter of support to the judge.
At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- The alleged incidents occurred on the set of the series The Cleaning Lady in Albuquerque.
- Gilbert’s letter urges the judge to protect her husband, citing his moral character.
- Why it matters: The case raises questions about how allegations are handled in the entertainment industry and the role of polygraph evidence in New Mexico courts.
Hearing Set for Husband
The detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, the day after the court ordered Busfield held without bond. The hearing will determine whether he remains in custody while the investigation continues.
Allegations and Legal Process
A criminal complaint filed by Albuquerque police details the alleged conduct:
| Allegation | Details |
|---|---|
| Criminal sexual contact of a minor | Two counts – one when the child was 7, another when 8 |
| Child abuse | One count |
The complaint claims the incidents happened on the set of The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed and was filmed in Albuquerque.
Melissa Gilbert’s Support
A representative for Gilbert told James O Connor Fields that she will attend the hearing. In a letter of support filed in court, Gilbert wrote:
“Busfield has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion,” she said.
She added, “I am relying on you to protect him for me,” and requested the judge to take care of her husband.
Police Investigation and Evidence
According to the complaint, an investigator with the police department says the child reported Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7 and another time when he was 8. The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but did not specify where.
On Monday, Busfield’s attorneys submitted two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews in which the children say Busfield did not touch them in private areas. The attorneys argue that the complaint characterizes the interviews as a failure to disclose abuse, but an “unequivocal denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure.”
Defense Arguments
Busfield’s lawyers contend that the allegations emerged only after the boys lost their roles in the TV show, creating a financial and retaliatory motive. They also point to a history of fraud by both the boys’ father and mother, and cite a Warner Bros. investigation that found the allegations unfounded.
Busfield has submitted letters vouching for his character and his attorneys say he passed an independent polygraph test.
Legal Context and Polygraph
Legal experts note that New Mexico is among a few states that allow polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but a judge has final say over whether it can be used. Strict requirements exist for admission.
Next Steps
The court will decide whether Busfield remains in custody and whether the polygraph evidence may be admitted. The hearing will also address the admissibility of the police recordings and the defense’s arguments about motive and fraud.
The case remains in the early stages, with the next court appearance scheduled for the following week.
Key Takeaways
- Timothy Busfield faces serious child-sex-abuse charges linked to a New Mexico TV set.
- His wife, Melissa Gilbert, will attend the detention hearing and has publicly supported him.
- The defense questions the timing and motive of the allegations and presents a polygraph test.
- New Mexico’s legal framework allows polygraph evidence, but its admissibility is still up to the judge.
The outcome of the hearing could set a precedent for how the entertainment industry handles similar allegations in the future.
