'West Wing' actor Timothy Busfield released from New Mexico jail pending
trial
[January 21, 2026]
By MORGAN LEE and SAVANNAH PETERS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Actor Timothy Busfield was released from jail
Tuesday night in New Mexico, where he is facing counts of child sexual
abuse.
Hours earlier, Busfield's attorneys successfully argued that the actor
best known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and
“Thirtysomething” wasn't a danger to the community and shouldn't be
behind bars while he awaits trial. Prosecutors sought to keep him in
jail, outlining what they said was grooming behavior and abuse of power
by Busfield over three decades.
State District Court Judge David Murphy said while the crimes Busfield
is accused of inherently are dangerous and involve children, prosecutors
didn't prove the public wouldn't be safe if he's released.
“There’s no evidence of a pattern of criminal conduct, there are no
similar allegations involving children in his past,” Murphy said.
“Rather this defendant self-surrendered and submitted himself to this
court’s jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the court order for
his arrest.”
Outside the courthouse, Busfield's wife, actor Melissa Gilbert, thanked
Murphy for the ruling. She also thanked friends, relatives, co-workers
and strangers who she said have showered their family with love.
Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls in the 1970s to ’80s TV series “Little
House on the Prairie," sat behind Busfield during the hearing. He was
handcuffed and dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit.
Prosecutors declined to comment on the ruling.
Busfield is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and
one count of child abuse while working as a director on the set of the
TV series “The Cleaning Lady," allegations that he denies. He was booked
into jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest and he turned
himself in.
According to the criminal complaint, an investigator with the
Albuquerque Police Department said a boy reported that Busfield touched
him on his private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7
years old and another time when he was 8. The boy’s twin brother told
authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but he did not specify
where and didn't say anything because he didn't want to get in trouble,
the complaint said.
During the hearing Tuesday, Busfield's attorneys pointed out that the
children initially said during interviews with police that Busfield
didn't touch them inappropriately. Busfield's attorneys then accused the
boys' parents of coaching their children toward incriminating statements
after the boys lost lucrative roles on the show.
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Director and actor Timothy Busfield appears at a hearing in the
Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse,
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AJ Skuy for Fox News
Digital Pool Photo via AP)
 Busfield's defense team called just
one witness — Alan Caudillo, director of photography on “The
Cleaning Lady” — to testify that children on set were never left
alone with individuals, and that the parents were the ones who
encouraged hugs with adults on the set.
According to the criminal complaint, one of the boys later disclosed
during a therapy session that he was inappropriately touched by
Busfield. Those records were obtained by police during the
investigation.
Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch called
evidence of abuse against Busfield strong and specific. She also
said witnesses expressed fear about potential retaliation and
professional harm.
“The boys’ allegation are supported by medical findings and by their
therapist,” Brandenburg-Koch said. “Their accounts were specific and
not exaggerated.”
Arguing for Busfield’s release, defense attorney Amber Fayerberg
said her client will be under intense scrutiny because of publicity
surrounding the charges.
“That bell can’t be un-rung,” Fayerberg said. “The idea that he (Busfield)
could then go out and be dangerous with a child — in the world where
everybody knows who he is — is absurd.”
Busfield submitted letters vouching for his character, and his
attorneys say he passed an independent polygraph test.
Legal experts say New Mexico is among a few states that allow
polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but a judge has final say over
whether one can be used. There are strict requirements for admission
in court.
___
Lee reported from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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