US actor and director Timothy Busfield, who turned himself in to police last week following allegations of child abuse, has been released from custody.
01/21/2026, 04:3601/21/2026, 04:36
A judge in the US state of New Mexico decided at a hearing that the 68-year-old could remain free until his trial begins. The public prosecutor’s office had demanded that he remain in custody. Busfield’s wife, US actress Melissa Gilbert (“Our Little Farm”), attended the court hearing.
Busfield at the court hearing.Image: keystone
There was an arrest warrant against Busfield on allegations of criminal sexual contact with minors and child abuse. Although he turned himself in to the police last week, he vehemently denied the allegations. He will counter these “terrible” lies, said the actor, known from TV series such as “The Best Years” and “The West Wing,” in a video statement. He has not abused small boys and will defend himself against the allegations.
The allegations were made by two underage twin brothers who starred in the TV series “The Cleaning Lady.” Busfield directed some episodes. The drama series aired in the US from 2022 to 2025. According to investigators, the eleven-year-old boys reported sexual assaults on the set of the television series. (sda/dpa)