Timothy Busfield’s first court appearance will focus on whether he’s released: legal expert
New Mexico criminal defense attorney John W. Day told Fox News Digital that Timothy Busfield will appear before a judge after turning himself in to authorities following an arrest warrant in connection with child sex abuse charges.
Timothy Busfield will be released from custody as he awaits trial in his child sex abuse case, a judge ruled on Tuesday.
Busfield's wife, Melissa Gilbert, teared up in court when Judge David Murphy announced his ruling, and the conditions of Busfield's release.
"You're authorized for release on your own recognizance with the conditions that you appear at all future court settings," Judge Murphy said. "You have not violated any laws."
"You'll be supervised by pre-trial services here in Albuquerque on level two. I'm not going to prohibit your travel. I understand you may not live here, but you will need to report to pre-trial services here. Do not possess any firearms or dangerous weapons. You're not to possess or consume any alcohol or illegal drugs. You must notify the courts of your address. You're not to have any contact with the alleged victims and their families."
Additionally, Busfield was ordered to not discuss the case with any of the witnesses nor have contact with children under the age of 18. A trial date has not yet been set.
TIMOTHY BUSFIELD HELD WITHOUT BAIL IN NEW MEXICO CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE
Melissa Gilbert arrived in court Tuesday to support her husband, Timothy Busfield, as he fights child sex abuse charges. (Getty Images/ AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
New Mexico prosecutors argued that Busfield had a history of making inappropriate advances, and described a report from actress Claudia Christian, who claimed Busfield "forcibly grabbed her and threw her against the wall" while they were working together on "The Strays." Christian allegedly reported the incident to an assistant director.
In considering bail conditions, the state noted that 87 letters of support were submitted on behalf of Busfield, stating that "he would never do this."
"The state is concerned about again the defendant is using his control in deciding when he wants to comply with an order," prosecutors argued. "That order did not say, ‘Sure, turn yourself in in 5 days.’ That order was for him to be arrested and come deal with these charges. Instead, he drove 2,000 miles ... he got a polygraph."
"I'm not saying defendants don't have a right to defend their case ... but that shows this court that the defendant is only going to comply when he wants to, when he's ready to."
Melissa Gilbert held her hands to her face and cried after a judge ordered her husband, Timothy Busfield, released from custody. (YouTube)
Days before Busfield was remanded and held without bail on multiple counts of child sex abuse, the 68-year-old actor underwent a psychosexual evaluation at the recommendation of his attorney.
According to court documents filed on Jan. 17 and obtained by Fox News Digital, Busfield participated in the assessment on Jan. 12 to determine the risk of committing sexual offenses compared with those convicted of a sexual offense. During the evaluation, Busfield was asked a series of uncomfortable questions, including details about his sex life with his wife, Melissa Gilbert.
"Mr. Busfield reports he and his current wife have a satisfying sex life and at their ages they simply enjoy one another’s company and cuddling more often than engaging in sexual intercourse," the evaluation stated, per the documents. "Mr. Busfield’s wife confirms his statements about a satisfying sexual relationship between them."
"Mr. Busfield reports that as he reflects, he believes and values that an individual needs to have a certain level of maturity to understand and embrace the intimate nature of a sexual relationship," the evaluation continued. "Additionally, he also believes sex is a natural experience for all humans and that at a certain age you begin to start experiencing feelings in your body (puberty). Mr. Busfield also reports that he has come to realize that he never had the mate he wanted until he met his wife, Melissa."
Timothy Busfield appears at a pre-trial detention hearing on Tuesday. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
Melissa Gilbert arrives at court as her husband, Timothy Busfield, is set to appear in the Second Judicial District Court, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
After an extensive look at Busfield's family history, his background, and his social and sexual behavior, the actor was assessed as "very low risk" based on the outcome of the clinical interview and risk assessment measures indicated.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
"Mr. Busfield demonstrated an ability to be forthcoming in his responses despite the sensitive nature of the questions. Mr. Busfield reports continued steady employment, strong family support, and engagement in prosocial activities with prosocial peers."
Fox News legal contributor Donna Rotunno said it's likely Busfield underwent the evaluation in an effort to prove he is "not a threat to society."
"When you submit to those evaluations, you have to answer truthfully. He is hoping that the evaluation will help the judge decide he is not a threat to society," said Rotunno. "As uncomfortable as the subject matter is, it is common that they would interview the wife under the circumstances for corroboration, and to see how forthcoming and truthful he is being."
"When you submit to those evaluations, you have to answer truthfully. He is hoping that the evaluation will help the judge decide he is not a threat to society."
Timothy Busfield said he has a "satisfying sex life" with Gilbert. (Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
The couple married in 2013. (VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Included in the court-filed documents were more than 75 letters written by former colleagues, friends, and his wife, who described decades of interaction with Busfield and denied ever witnessing inappropriate behavior.
"The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life. He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family," she wrote.
The "Little House on the Prairie" actress told the court she knows Busfield "better and more intimately than anyone else in his life," describing him as a man guided by principle and compassion.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
"Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known," she wrote. "He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion."
"This is the strangest letter I've ever had to write," she wrote. "So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband," Gilbert continued. "As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart. I am relying on you to protect him for me."
Timothy Busfield wore an orange jumpsuit while appearing in a New Mexico court Tuesday. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
Timothy Busfield sits next to attorney Christopher Dodd during Tuesday's pre-trial hearing. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
On Jan. 9, an arrest warrant was issued for the director and Emmy Award-winning actor, and obtained by Fox News Digital.
The police investigation into the allegations against Busfield began on Nov. 1, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted officers about a case of alleged sexual abuse.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by Fox News Digital, two 11-year-old twins allege that the director, whom they were told to call Uncle Tim on the set of "The Cleaning Lady," had touched them inappropriately. One twin claimed an incident had occurred while alone with Busfield in a bedroom on set, alleging he had been touched over his clothes on his genitals and bottom. The warrant further states that hospital professionals later informed the parents that the children showed signs of being "groomed."
"The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions," a representative from Warner Bros. Television told Fox News Digital in a statement. "We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action. We are aware of the current charges against Mr. Busfield and have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement."
A makeup artist told investigators that everyone on set knew to avoid Busfield "because he was creepy."
In police audio presented to court by Busfield's attorney on Monday and obtained by Fox News Digital, the child actors are asked by the police officer: "You know no one can touch your private areas?" to which the twins say: "Yes."
They are then asked by the police officer if Busfield ever touched their private areas. The twins said, "No."
Busfield surrendered on Jan. 13 to local authorities on child sex abuse charges. He was held without bail at the time of his arrest on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
Busfield could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)
The director has denied all the allegations against him.
In the state's expedited motion for pretrial detention, prosecutors argued that Busfield "poses an ongoing and serious danger to children and the community." They noted that his conduct reflected a "calculated pattern of grooming, lack of boundaries, and exploitation of professional authority to gain access to minors."
"The defendant has demonstrated: willingness to exploit positions of trust; ability to offend in professional environments designed to appear safe, minimization and denial of conduct, access to children through his profession, a pattern of inappropriate conduct spanning decades," documents stated.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
"Witnesses in this investigation expressed fear of retaliation and career harm for reporting the Defendant's conduct, further underscoring his ability to intimidate and silence others."
During a press conference on Jan. 15, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman addressed the media with the latest on the case.
Busfield is currently charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor, child under 13, and one count of child abuse. Under New Mexico law, each count of criminal sexual contact carries up to six years of incarceration, and child abuse carries up to three years, Bregman stated.
If convicted, Busfield could face up to 15 years in prison.
Fox News Digital's Larry Fink contributed to this report.
Trending
Fox News Entertainment
Get a daily look at the top news in music, movies, television and more in the entertainment industry.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
