At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield was released from jail on January 20 after surrendering on January 13
- He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse involving 11-year-old twin boys
- A New Mexico judge ruled he can await trial on his own recognizance after finding no pattern of child-related offenses
- Melissa Gilbert called her husband “my love, my rock” in a letter supporting his release
Why it matters: The ruling allows the 68-year-old actor-director to remain free while facing serious felony charges that could carry significant prison time if convicted.
Timothy Busfield is out of jail and back with his wife Melissa Gilbert as he fights child sex abuse charges stemming from allegations involving twin boys he met while directing Fox’s The Cleaning Lady.
The West Wing alum spent a week in custody before his release following a January 20 detention hearing where prosecutors and defense attorneys argued for more than two hours about whether he should remain jailed pending trial.
The Investigation and Arrest
Albuquerque police issued an arrest warrant for Busfield on January 9, alleging unlawful sexual conduct with the 11-year-old twins who worked as child actors on the series. The warrant states one victim claims the abuse began when he was 7 years old.
Busfield surrendered on January 13, releasing a video statement through TMZ moments before turning himself in: “They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it. I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Judge Releases Busfield Despite Serious Charges
The New Mexico District Court judge’s decision surprised many given the severity of the charges. In his ruling, the judge noted several factors favoring release:
- No evidence of a pattern involving children
- No similar allegations in Busfield’s past
- No evidence of non-compliance with prior court orders
- Self-surrender demonstrated compliance with legal process
“Given the lack of a pattern involving children in this case, I think that can be remedied through different conditions of release,” the judge stated. “I don’t find that there’s been sufficient presentation that this defendant may commit new crimes if released pending trial.”
The prosecution failed to prove “by clear and convincing evidence that there are no release conditions that would reasonably protect the safety of any younger person in the community,” according to the court.
Strict Release Conditions Imposed
Busfield’s freedom comes with significant restrictions:
- Must appear for all future court dates
- No firearms or dangerous weapons
- No alcohol or illegal drugs
- No contact with alleged victims or their families
- No discussing the case with witnesses
- No unsupervised contact with minor children
- Must notify court of his address
- Subject to Pretrial Services supervision in New Mexico
The judge is allowing travel, though all movements will be monitored by the supervision program.
Community Support and Character Defense
The defense presented overwhelming community support, with 75 letters submitted to the court backing Busfield’s release. His civil lawyer Larry Stein tells News Of Los Angeles that unsolicited support poured in from people willing to risk their reputations.
“I got totally unsolicited emails and calls and letters from people,” Stein said. “We did our work to try to get it together, but the outpouring of support and the number of people who are willing to put themselves on the line for him is really remarkable, because it’s a very brave thing to do. Just being associated with it and supporting him can cause a certain number of people to think negatively about you, unfortunately.”
Melissa Gilbert Stands by Her Husband
Melissa Gilbert, married to Busfield since 2013, attended the detention hearing and whispered “Thank you, God” when the release decision was announced.
Her letter to the court painted a picture of a devoted husband and stepfather:
“He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.”
The Little House on the Prairie alum described Busfield as having “the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known” and said he “starts every day with kindness and compassion.”
“I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me,” Gilbert wrote. “I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. Please, please, take care of my sweet husband. As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now.”
Current State of Mind
Stein reports both Gilbert and Busfield remain shaken by the situation. “They’re still in shock that it happened to them and they’re still distressed. But obviously they’re in a better mood than they were yesterday before he was released.”
The couple is now “taking one day at a time” as they prepare for the legal battle ahead.
Busfield faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor (child under 13) and one count of child abuse. The charges carry potential prison terms measured in decades if convicted at trial, though he maintains complete innocence of all allegations.
Key Takeaways:
- A judge found insufficient evidence of danger to keep Busfield jailed
- The case hinges on allegations from twin boys now age 11
- Community support played a crucial role in securing release
- Strict conditions limit Busfield’s activities while awaiting trial
