Actor Timothy Busfield is scheduled to appear in a New Mexico court on Tuesday for a pretrial detention hearing.
Busfield, known for his roles in “The West Wing” and “Field of Dreams,” faces charges of alleged criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse. He turned himself in last week and is currently held without bond.
The charges stem from accusations that Busfield inappropriately touched a child actor on the set of his show “The Cleaning Lady.” According to a criminal complaint, the alleged abuse began in 2022 when the child was seven and continued until 2024. The boy’s twin brother also reported inappropriate contact, though he did not specify details.
Busfield has denied the allegations and, according to his attorney, passed a polygraph test. His legal team argues that an independent investigation undermines the state’s case, citing a history of fraud by the accusers’ parents and a report by Warner Bros. that found the allegations unfounded. They claim the accusations surfaced after the children lost their roles on the show, suggesting a financial motive.
Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has publicly defended him, describing him as having “the strongest moral compass of any human” she knows. She, along with 70 others, including Busfield’s stepson and former co-stars, submitted letters supporting his character.
The outcome of the hearing will determine whether Busfield remains in custody or is released pending trial. Legal experts note that New Mexico allows polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but its admission is subject to judicial discretion.
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