Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield has been ordered held without bond in New Mexico on child abuse charges, as further allegations of historical sexual misconduct against him come to light. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has issued a statement of support while requesting privacy for their family.
Court Appearance and Mounting Allegations
During an initial court appearance in Albuquerque on Wednesday, a judge ruled that Timothy Busfield must remain in custody without bond until at least a hearing scheduled for 20 January. Prosecutors have requested he be detained until his trial, though conditional release remains a possibility.
The charges stem from a police statement alleging that Busfield inappropriately touched two 11-year-old twin brothers, identified by initials SL and VL, on the set of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady. Busfield, who both directed and acted in the show, was arrested on 9 January on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.
After turning himself in on Tuesday, Busfield provided a video statement to TMZ, vehemently denying all accusations. "They're all lies," he said. "I did not do anything to those little boys, and I'm going to fight it."
A Pattern of Accusations Emerges
Following his arrest, court documents revealed additional allegations that prosecutors cite as evidence of a pattern. A man came forward on Tuesday accusing Busfield of sexually abusing his daughter during an audition at Sacramento's B Street Theatre in 2001, which Busfield co-founded. The matter was reportedly resolved with therapy and an agreement not to involve police.
The B Street Theatre confirmed Busfield withdrew after an internal investigation and declined further comment due to the ongoing New Mexico case.
Two other prior allegations were referenced in the police statement:
- In 1994, a 17-year-old extra on the film Little Big League accused Busfield of assault after he served her alcohol. Busfield countersued for extortion; the case settled privately but he was ordered to pay $150,000 in costs.
- In 2012, a 28-year-old woman alleged Busfield fondled her in a Los Angeles cinema. Busfield claimed the contact was consensual, and no criminal or civil case was pursued.
Support from Wife and Industry Response
Amid the legal turmoil, Busfield's wife, Melissa Gilbert, best known for Little House on the Prairie, expressed her support. A representative shared a statement saying Gilbert "supports her husband" and is focusing on caring for their family. The statement also requested privacy, noting she would honour a request from Busfield's attorneys not to speak publicly during the legal process.
Gilbert has since deactivated her Instagram account, and her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, cancelled a virtual event, citing her need for "privacy and space."
Warner Bros, producer of The Cleaning Lady which ended its four-season run in 2025, stated it conducted its own investigation but could not corroborate the allegations against Busfield.
Busfield, whose acting credits include Revenge of the Nerds, Field of Dreams, and The West Wing, won an Emmy in 1991 for his role in Thirtysomething. He and Gilbert have been married since 2013.
