In brief
Timothy Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor, has been charged with child sex abuse following allegations that he inappropriately touched minors on the set of the television series 'The Cleaning Lady'. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, is on the witness list for his upcoming detention hearing. Busfield has denied the charges and his attorneys argue that initial police interviews suggest the children did not claim he touched them inappropriately. The allegations surfaced after the children lost their roles in the show, raising concerns about motive. Busfield remains held without bond.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Actor Melissa Gilbert could speak Tuesday at a New Mexico detention hearing for her husband, Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield, who faces child sex abuse charges stemming from allegations that he inappropriately touched a minor on a TV series set.
Busfield, known for works like 'The West Wing' and 'Field of Dreams', was ordered held without bond at his first court appearance last week. He has publicly called the allegations lies. Melissa Gilbert, who role on 'Little House on the Prairie' made her famous, is listed as a potential witness ahead of the upcoming hearing.
Police issued a warrant for Busfield's arrest earlier this month on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. The accusations reportedly occurred on the set of 'The Cleaning Lady', a series directed by Busfield that was filmed in Albuquerque.
An investigation revealed that one child reported inappropriate touching by Busfield when he was seven and again at eight. Additionally, the boy's twin brother stated he experienced similar incidents but was hesitant to disclose them for fear of repercussions.
As the case unfolds, Busfield's lawyers have submitted recordings from initial police interviews wherein the children deny any inappropriate touching, suggesting motives of financial gain following the loss of their roles in the series.
While Busfield's legal team argues the allegations lack credibility, experts note New Mexico's unique provision allowing polygraph results in court, pending judicial approval. The actor has also provided character references and passed a polygraph test.
