At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield faces child sex-abuse charges after a minor alleges inappropriate touching on a TV set.
- His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, will attend the Tuesday detention hearing and has spoken in support of him.
- Police issued a warrant earlier this month on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- Why it matters: The case raises questions about evidence admissibility, witness testimony, and the role of celebrity in legal proceedings.
Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie, confirmed she would be present at the Tuesday detention hearing for her husband, Timothy Busfield, who is accused of child sex abuse stemming from allegations that he inappropriately touched a minor on the set of The Cleaning Lady.
Background
Timothy Busfield, known for appearances in The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, was ordered held without bond at his first court appearance last week. The charges stem from a criminal complaint that alleges he touched a 7-year-old boy on private areas over clothing and a 8-year-old boy in a similar manner. The boy’s twin brother also reported being touched, though he did not specify the location.
The complaint claims the incidents occurred on the set of The Cleaning Lady, a series directed by Busfield and filmed in Albuquerque. An investigator with the police department says the child reported the touching when he was 7 and again when he was 8.
Hearing Details
A representative for Gilbert told Caleb R. Anderson that she will attend the Tuesday detention hearing. In a letter of support filed in court, Gilbert wrote that Busfield “has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known.” She added, “He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion.”
Gilbert also spoke about his dedication to family and career, urging the judge to “please, please, take care of my sweet husband.” She added, “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 you to protect him for me.”
Legal Arguments
On Monday, Busfield’s attorneys submitted two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews. The children in the recordings denied that Busfield touched them in private areas. The attorneys argue that the complaint characterizes the interviews as a failure to disclose abuse, but an unequivocal denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure.
The attorneys also contend that the allegations emerged only after the boys lost their roles in the TV show, creating a financial and retaliatory motive. They claim the boys’ parents have a history of fraud and reference an investigation by Warner Bros. that found the allegations unfounded.
Busfield has also submitted letters vouching for his character and has passed an independent polygraph test.
Police Investigation
Albuquerque police issued a warrant for Busfield’s arrest earlier this month on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. According to the criminal complaint, an investigator with the police department says the child reported Busfield touched him on 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 did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble.
During a therapy session, one of the boys disclosed that he was inappropriately touched by the show’s director. Those records were obtained by police during the investigation.
Polygraph and Evidence
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.
Busfield’s attorneys have argued that the polygraph, combined with the denial recordings, demonstrate his innocence. They also highlight the lack of physical evidence linking him to the alleged incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Timothy Busfield is held without bond while awaiting trial on child sex-abuse charges.
- Melissa Gilbert will attend the detention hearing and has publicly defended her husband.
- The case hinges on conflicting testimony from the alleged victims and their families.
- New Mexico’s legal framework allows polygraph evidence, but its admissibility remains uncertain.
- The investigation continues as police seek to confirm or refute the allegations.
The outcome of the hearing will set a precedent for how celebrity defendants and alleged victims are treated in the New Mexico court system.
