At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield, 68, was released on his own recognizance after a pretrial detention hearing.
- He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- Conditions of release include no firearms, no alcohol or drugs, and no contact with alleged victims.
- Why it matters: The decision shapes the legal trajectory for a high-profile case involving alleged abuse of children.
Timothy Busfield was freed from custody on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, after a judge in San Bernalillo County set conditions that will keep him under close monitoring while he awaits trial. The actor, 68, had been detained following charges of child sex abuse that stem from allegations involving two 11-year-old twin boys.
The Hearing and the Judge’s Decision
On Jan. 20, Busfield appeared before a judge for a pretrial detention hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse. The judge ruled that, given the lack of a pattern involving children in this case, he can be released with conditions.
The judge said:
> “I don’t find that there’s been sufficient presentation that this defendant may commit new crimes if released pending trial. There’s no evidence of a pattern of criminal conduct. There are no similar allegations involving children in his past. There’s no evidence of non-compliance with prior court orders.”
He added that Busfield had self-surrendered and complied with the arrest order, and that the state had not proven by clear and convincing evidence that any release conditions would reasonably protect the safety of a younger person.
Conditions of Release
Busfield was released on his own recognizance with a set of strict conditions. The following table summarizes them:
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Firearms | No possession of firearms or dangerous weapons |
| Alcohol/Drugs | No consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs |
| Contact | No contact with alleged victims or their families |
| Witness Interaction | No discussion of the case with any witnesses |
| Minor Contact | No unsupervised contact with any minor children |
| Travel | Allowed, but subject to Pretrial Services supervision |
| Address Reporting | Must notify the court of his address |
The judge also allowed Busfield to travel but placed him under the supervision of Pretrial Services in New Mexico.
Family and Support
Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, was seen crying in the courtroom. She whispered, “Thank you, God,” after the judge’s ruling. Gilbert was joined by her 89-year-old mother Barbara Cowan, her son Michael Boxleitner, civil lawyer Larry Stein, and Busfield’s brother Buck Busfield.
Gilbert had previously written a letter to the judge in support of her husband. In her letter, she described Busfield as “my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,” and said she knows him “better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has.”
> “I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me. I began this letter with logic, but now the feelings have taken over. I can’t help it,” she wrote. “I only want this extraordinary man safe and whole. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband. As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart, I am relying on your to protect him for me.”
Background of the Charges
Busfield first appeared before a judge on Jan. 14, 2026, after being officially charged on Jan. 13. Prosecutors alleged that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with the 11-year-old twin boys. The arrest warrant was issued by the Albuquerque Police Department on Jan. 9, and Busfield turned himself in on Jan. 13.
According to the warrant, one victim claimed the incidents began when Busfield was 7 years old. The victims were child actors who met Busfield on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady.
Another accusation surfaced on Jan. 14 when a father, Colin Swift, reported that Busfield allegedly abused Swift’s daughter.
Busfield released a video on Jan. 13, filmed just before he surrendered to authorities, in which he denied the allegations:
> “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,” he said.
Legal Representation’s Response
Civil attorney Larry Stein told News Of Los Angeles that the allegations were never challenged, never proved, and that they were 25 years old. The statement emphasized that the accusations had no factual basis.
What to Do If You Suspect Child Abuse
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential, and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Key Takeaways
- Busfield, 68, was released on his own recognizance after a judge deemed no pattern of child abuse existed.
- He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- Release conditions prohibit firearms, alcohol, drug use, contact with victims, and unsupervised contact with minors.
- Family members, including wife Melissa Gilbert, publicly supported him.
- The case remains pending, and Busfield will be monitored by Pretrial Services while awaiting trial.
These developments underscore the complexities of pretrial release decisions in cases involving alleged child sexual abuse and highlight the legal and familial dynamics at play.
