ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Actor-director Timothy Busfield is facing new allegations of abuse as prosecutors in Albuquerque look to keep him behind bars.
The hearing on Wednesday lasted a few minutes as Busfield made his first appearance before a judge a day after turning himself in. He faces charges of child sex abuse stemming from allegations that he inappropriately touched a minor on the set of a TV series he was directing in New Mexico called “The Cleaning Lady.”
According to the criminal complaint, an investigator says the child reported that he was 7 years old when Busfield touched him multiple times on private areas over his clothing. Busfield is accused of touching him on another occasion when he was 8, the complaint said.
The boy’s twin brother told authorities he also was touched by Busfield but didn’t specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble. The mother of the twins reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office filed a pretrial detention motion Wednesday morning, claiming Timothy Busfield is a danger to the alleged victims and the community.
A judge ordered he be held without bond for the time being. Whether he remains in jail will be the subject of a detention hearing that will be scheduled within five business days.
Prosecutors alleged a pattern of sexual misconduct going back to the 1990s. None of those prior cases ever led to criminal charges, but prosecutors say some new allegations from the last two years have surfaced, including one from a California parent who called authorities on Tuesday.
The parents allege Busfield sexually abused their teenage daughter “several years ago,” in Sacramento, California, according to documents obtained by People.
Busfield, who is married to actor Melissa Gilbert and is known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething,” has vowed to fight the charges. In a video shared before turning himself in, Busfield called the allegations lies.
Prosecutors took issue with Busfield disseminating the video to TMZ on Tuesday, suggesting he was prioritizing “personal narrative control and public relations” over compliance with the court process.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.