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Actor Timothy Busfield was freed on his own recognizance after a New Mexico judge imposed release conditions following hours of argument from prosecutors and defense attorneys over child sex abuse charges
Actor Timothy Busfield, 68, was released on his own recognizance Tuesday following a detention hearing in New Mexico in which prosecutors and defense attorneys were each given one hour to argue whether he should remain jailed while awaiting trial on multiple felony child sex abuse charges. Los Angeles Magazine live-Streamed the anticipated hearing. Busfield’s entertainment attorney Larry Stein told Los Angeles, “ We appreciate the judge thoroughly evaluating the evidence and reaching the just decision. And we are very excited and happy, especially Melissa.”
Busfield appeared in court wearing orange jail-issued clothing, looking visibly worn as the lawyers argued their sides, and the judge eventually reviewed the case and outlined conditions of release. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, attended the hearing and appeared calm and in good spirits after the ruling. Under the terms of his release, Busfield is prohibited from possessing weapons, using drugs or alcohol, or having any contact with minors. He is also required to meet weekly with his attorneys. The court did not impose electronic monitoring or formal travel restrictions, noting that New Mexico does not utilize location-monitoring services for pretrial release.
Breaking 🚨Timothy Busfield was released on his own recognizance Tuesday following a detention hearing in New Mexico, where prosecutors and defense attorneys each presented roughly an hour of argument. Busfield looked brutal.
Busfield, who is facing multiple felony child sex… pic.twitter.com/I8WjqkHiFl
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) January 21, 2026
During the defense’s arguments, beginning with attorney Christopher Dodd, they called the production’s director of photography as a witness, Alan Caudillo. He testified about what he characterized as concerning behavior by the child’s father during the production, testimony the defense argued was relevant to the credibility of the allegations. Caudillo stated that he had never seen Busfield touch the boys, and their father was the one encouraging them to give other adults hugs.
Prosecutors countered by addressing the defense’s references to the sordid and troubled histories of both parents, arguing that prior instability or documented issues (including matters previously referenced in law enforcement and court records) do not mean abuse could not have occurred to their children. The state emphasized that a parent’s background should not be used to discount allegations involving a child.
Defense attorneys clarified their position, stating they were not claiming abuse was impossible, but rather asserting that, in their view, the children were coerced by their parents, citing the parents’ past issues as a reason for the pressure placed on the minors. Additionally, it was stated that the children’s mother only asked the boys if Busfield had ever touched them after seeing a post on social media about past allegations he had faced. They initially said no.
As part of their argument, the defense played an audio recording of the alleged victim, in which the boy denies that abuse occurred and states he only said it did after his father told him to “tell the truth.” Defense counsel argued the recording proved that the child feared disappointing his father, a point made on the record during the hearing that the child reportedly told a therapist. Busfield’s attorney, Amber Fayerberg, told the court that Busfield does not pose a threat to the community, arguing that he has effectively been “canceled” and has already lost his career, reputation, and livelihood as a result of the allegations. Prosecutors urged the judge to keep Busfield detained, citing the seriousness of the charges, but the court ultimately ruled that strict release conditions were sufficient while the case proceeds. They also noted that the case is expected to go before a grand jury at some point.
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Lauren Conlin
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