Timothy Busfield freed from jail as child sex abuse case moves forward KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY January 22, 2026 at 6:07 AM 0 Timothy Busfield freed from jail as child sex abuse case moves forward Timothy Busfield has been released from jail in New Mexico as he fights child sex abuse charges in court. The "Field of Dreams" actor, 68, was released Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center inmate records reviewed by USA TODAY on Jan. 21. He had been behind bars for a week. The move came within hours of a Second Judicial District Court Judge David A.
- - Timothy Busfield freed from jail as child sex abuse case moves forward
KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY January 22, 2026 at 6:07 AM
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Timothy Busfield freed from jail as child sex abuse case moves forward
Timothy Busfield has been released from jail in New Mexico as he fights child sex abuse charges in court.
The "Field of Dreams" actor, 68, was released Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center inmate records reviewed by USA TODAY on Jan. 21. He had been behind bars for a week.
The move came within hours of a Second Judicial District Court Judge David A. Murphy ruling during a Jan. 20 pretrial detention hearing that Busfield could be released on his own recognizance. Murphy denied state prosecutors' request to keep Busfield behind bars based on the argument that "no conditions of release will reasonably protect the safety or any other person or the community."
In a previous statement to USA TODAY after the ruling, Busfield's lawyer Larry Stein said his team is "delighted that the judge thoroughly reviewed the evidence and reached a just decision. And we are excited and happy, especially [wife] Melissa [Gilbert]."
Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/w1OjeI6 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
">Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
" src=https://ift.tt/w1OjeI6 class=caas-img>Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NfryUMT class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
">During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
" src=https://ift.tt/NfryUMT class=caas-img>Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1nZNitS class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
">Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" src=https://ift.tt/1nZNitS class=caas-img>He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers. He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CVzgUhT class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers. He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
">Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers. He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" src=https://ift.tt/CVzgUhT class=caas-img>Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kF0oDI2 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
">Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
" src=https://ift.tt/kF0oDI2 class=caas-img>Busfield takes notes during the hearing.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EhmA1Tn class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield takes notes during the hearing.
">Busfield takes notes during the hearing.
" src=https://ift.tt/EhmA1Tn class=caas-img>Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1OfCbdy class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd.
">Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd.
" src=https://ift.tt/1OfCbdy class=caas-img>Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BfOX1em class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd.
">Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd.
" src=https://ift.tt/BfOX1em class=caas-img>Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ONBHRAS class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director.
">Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director.
" src=https://ift.tt/ONBHRAS class=caas-img>Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/feOnhEj class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing.
">Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing.
" src=https://ift.tt/feOnhEj class=caas-img>Busfield's wife attends his hearing.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9h7MsBo class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield's wife attends his hearing.
">Busfield's wife attends his hearing.
" src=https://ift.tt/9h7MsBo class=caas-img>Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Jperusv class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments.
">Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments.
" src=https://ift.tt/Jperusv class=caas-img>Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZJl8XnG class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
">Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" src=https://ift.tt/ZJl8XnG class=caas-img>Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Yx0CpXO class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing.
">Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing.
" src=https://ift.tt/Yx0CpXO class=caas-img>An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jrHED4N class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
">An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" src=https://ift.tt/jrHED4N class=caas-img>An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/L2B54sG class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
">An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
" src=https://ift.tt/L2B54sG class=caas-img>
1 / 16Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges
Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
A tearful Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
Busfield is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. Between late 2022 and early 2024, Busfield allegedly abused two actors, who were 7 and 8 years old at the time, as they worked on the Busfield-directed Fox series "The Cleaning Lady," according to prosecutors.
Did Timothy Busfield get bail? What happened at court hearing
Both state prosecutors and Busfield's defense were allotted an hour each to present their arguments for and against his continued detention, respectively.
As he presented his arguments to the judge, defense attorney Chris Dodd said Busfield "is ready to fight this case, and he is going to fight this case."
While arguing against the state's case for Busfield's continued detention, his defense cast doubt on the credibility of the alleged victims' claims. "These are manufactured allegations," defense attorney Amber Fayerberg told the judge.
Murphy noted in court that prosecutors presented a satisfying case that Busfield "does pose a danger to the safety of others."
The judge noted Busfield has "zero criminal history" and "there are no similar allegations involving children of this past." Any prior sexual assault allegations against him, which were mentioned in his criminal complaint, haven't "been vetted by the judiciary system."
As such, Murphy said, "I cannot find that the state has proven by clearly convincing evidence that there are no release conditions that would reasonably protect the safety of any other person in the community."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Timothy Busfield freed from jail amid child sex abuse case
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Source: Entertainment
Published: January 21, 2026 at 11:37PM on Source: RED MAG
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