UPDATE — 1/21/26 1:45 a.m. ET: Timothy Busfield was launched from police custody as he awaits trial on alleged baby intercourse abuse fees.
Per police data obtained by Us Weekly within the early hours of Wednesday, January 21, Busfield was launched the day past.
A report by Folks, revealed in mild of the information, included a press release from Busfield’s civil lawyer, Larry Stein, that described Busfield as feeling “great” after his launch. “He can reunite with Melissa [Gilbert, his wife],” Stein instructed the outlet, noting that Gilbert is “very, very excited.”
Unique story beneath.
Timothy Busfield can be launched from jail as he awaits his trial for alleged baby intercourse abuse.
A New Mexico choose denied the state’s movement to maintain Busfield, 68, in custody main as much as and through his trial throughout a Tuesday, January 20, listening to. The choose dominated that the state couldn’t adequately show that there are zero situations during which the director could possibly be launched that might defend the security of the group.
Busfield’s launch from jail does, nonetheless, include just a few situations. The director should seem in any respect hearings and preserve contact together with his lawyer. He might not be within the possession of a firearm and he can’t have any contact with the alleged victims. The choose didn’t revoke Busfield’s skill to journey. Busfield’s subsequent courtroom listening to has but to be scheduled.
After the ruling was issued, Busfield turned to spouse Melissa Gilbert. He seemingly tried to put his hand over his coronary heart in a possible gesture towards Gilbert, 61, however couldn’t accomplish that because of the restraints from his handcuffs. Busfield was subsequently escorted out of the courtroom room.
Information broke earlier this month {that a} warrant was issued for Busfield’s arrest after he was accused of sexual abuse by twin baby actors who labored on The Cleansing Woman. The drama aired from 2022 to 2025 and Busfield executive-produced 14 episodes of the Fox sequence, directed six and made a one-episode look.
The alleged incidents came about between late 2022 and early 2024, based on the Albuquerque Police Division affidavit obtained by Us Weekly in January. Busfield was accused of touching one of many youngsters’s “non-public areas,” tickling the youngsters, selecting up the youngsters and extra.
Busfield is dealing with two counts of sexual abuse involving a minor and one rely of kid abuse. He faces as much as 15 years in jail if convicted, per the Bernalillo County District Lawyer’s Workplace.
In an interview with the authorities, Busfield denied the abuse allegations and claimed that there was nothing “bizarre” about his interactions with the kid actors.
“I imply, I’m at all times round individuals, proper? It might be, you realize, in entrance of the dad and mom. There would by no means be a bizarre second about it,” he stated. “I don’t actually bear in mind selecting these boys up. I bear in mind selecting up the boy who adopted them. I’d decide him up and he’d be laughing and that might type of get him able to act.”
Busfield claimed the youngsters had been “by no means alone on set with out the instructor, a welfare employee, or a mother or father.” He additionally admitted to him and Gilbert shopping for the youngsters presents for Christmas.
After information broke of the allegations, Busfield surrendered himself to the police whereas sustaining his innocence.
Melissa Gilbert was seen supporting husband Timothy Busfield at a listening to in baby intercourse abuse case. Gilbert, 61, appeared at a courtroom in New Mexico on Tuesday, January 20, as a Bernalillo County choose determined whether or not Busfield, 68, can be launched from jail whereas awaiting trial. Gilbert was seen sitting within the entrance row of […]
“I didn’t do something to these little boys,” Busfield claimed in a video obtained by TMZ. “And I’m gonna combat it. I’m gonna combat it with an excellent group, and I’m gonna be exonerated. I do know I’m, ‘trigger that is all so mistaken and so lies.”
Gilbert attended the Tuesday listening to in help of her husband. The actress was additionally listed on the case’s witness checklist. Along with being by Busfield’s facet, Gilbert beforehand launched a press release sustaining her husband’s innocence.
“Throughout this era, her focus is on supporting and caring for his or her very giant household, as they navigate this second,” Gilbert’s rep stated. “Melissa stands with and helps her husband and can handle the general public at an applicable time.”
Should you or somebody you realize is experiencing baby abuse, name or textual content Youngster Assist Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
Should you or somebody you realize has been sexually assaulted, contact the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
