Timothy Busfield released from jail before trial in child sex abuse case.

Timothy Busfield, an Emmy-winning actor renowned for his roles in television series such as “The West Wing” and films including “Field of Dreams,” has been released from jail on Tuesday, pending trial for serious child sex abuse charges. The ruling, made by Bernalillo County District Court Judge David Murphy, cited insufficient evidence to suggest that Busfield may pose a risk of committing further crimes if released. The judge noted the lack of prior criminal conduct or allegations against him involving children, in conjunction with Busfield’s voluntary surrender to authorities.

As part of his release conditions, Busfield is mandated to attend all future court proceedings and is prohibited from possessing any firearms or dangerous weapons. Additionally, he must refrain from consuming alcohol or illegal drugs, avoid all contact with the alleged victims and their families, and cannot discuss the case with any witnesses. Busfield, 68, must also report his whereabouts to the court while returning home from custody in New Mexico. A specific date for his trial has yet to be established.

The decision to release Busfield came after a two-hour detention hearing in Albuquerque, where prosecutors argued for his continued incarceration to mitigate any potential risks of reoffending. They highlighted earlier, unfiled allegations of misconduct involving two teenage girls and at least one adult woman, asserting that Busfield should remain in custody.

Busfield is currently facing two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse, stemming from accusations that he sexually abused twin child actors on the set of the Fox crime drama “The Cleaning Lady.” Allegations indicate the abuses occurred multiple times between November 2022 and spring 2024, with one accuser stating that the abuse began when he was just seven years old.

While defense attorney Christopher Dodd emphasized a lack of credible evidence from the alleged victims during initial police interrogations, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch countered that the children eventually made specific disclosures to medical professionals, suggesting that initial reluctance stemmed from fear of repercussions. The prosecution has brought forth additional testimony indicating a pattern of misconduct by Busfield over several decades, which has generated apprehension among potential witnesses regarding retaliation.

The actor’s legal representation also noted that Busfield interacted with the children under the supervision of their on-set teacher and other crew members, calling into question the feasibility of unsupervised encounters. Additionally, they pointed to familial legal issues concerning the boys’ father, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2016.

Recent developments have led to substantial professional ramifications for Busfield, including the removal of an episode featuring him from the programming schedule of “Law & Order: SVU,” editing him out of the forthcoming film “You Deserve Each Other,” and severing ties with his agency.

As the situation continues to unfold, public interest remains high, with significant repercussions for both Busfield and the broader entertainment industry.