Timothy Busfield Lawyers Cite Warner Bros. Probe and Polygraph in Bid for Release on Child Sex-Abuse Charges
Timothy Busfield’s lawyers asked a New Mexico judge to free him pending trial, arguing a Warner Bros. internal investigation could not corroborate allegations against him, that he passed an independent polygraph, and that the accusers’ parents have a history of dishonesty and possible retaliatory motive. Prosecutors oppose release, citing what they describe as a pattern of sexual misconduct including a separate allegation involving a 16‑year‑old, and a judge ordered Busfield held without bond after he surrendered on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, with a preliminary hearing set for Jan. 29.
📌 Key Facts
- The criminal complaint alleges the abuse occurred on the set of Fox’s The Cleaning Lady between November 2022 and spring 2024; one twin says Busfield touched him over his clothing 3–4 times at age 7 and 5–6 times at age 8, the second twin says he was touched but did not specify where, and one child has been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety and reports recurring nightmares.
- Busfield was charged by warrant with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor (and was later booked on two counts plus one count of child abuse), surrendered to Albuquerque police and was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.
- Judge Felicia Blea‑Rivera ordered Busfield held without bond at his first appearance and set a preliminary hearing for Jan. 29; prosecutors filed a motion seeking continued detention, arguing no release conditions can protect victims or the community and citing flight/danger concerns.
- Prosecutors’ motion characterizes Busfield’s conduct as a documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming over roughly two decades and includes a newly disclosed allegation that he kissed and inappropriately touched a then‑16‑year‑old during an audition at a Sacramento theatre.
- Busfield denied the allegations in a video released to TMZ, suggested the boys’ mother was retaliating after her children lost roles on the show, and acknowledged he might have picked up or tickled the boys in a playful set environment.
- Busfield’s attorneys say he passed an independent polygraph and point to a Warner Bros. internal investigation that they say could not corroborate the claims; they have asked the court to release him pending trial and argued prosecutors omitted the studio probe from their complaint.
- Legal experts and prosecutors noted polygraph results carry limited legal weight; while New Mexico is among the few states that can sometimes admit polygraph evidence at a judge’s discretion, commentators called publicizing a polygraph a public‑relations tactic and said judges focus on risk to the community and flight when setting detention.
- Albuquerque police confirmed they worked with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate Busfield before he surrendered; Warner Bros. said it takes misconduct allegations seriously and is cooperating with law enforcement, and Busfield’s wife, Melissa Gilbert, deactivated her Instagram and—through a publicist—said she is supporting him but will not speak publicly.
📊 Relevant Data
False allegations of child sexual abuse by children and adolescents occur at a rate of 2 to 10 percent of all cases.
How often do children's reports of abuseturn out to be false? — The Leadership Council
In the US, among individuals sentenced for sexual abuse offenses in fiscal year 2021, 57.5% were White, 16.1% Black, 11.8% Hispanic, 12.1% Native American, and 2.5% Other; compared to US population percentages of approximately 59% White, 13.6% Black, 18.9% Hispanic, and 1.3% Native American.
Quick Facts on Sexual Abuse Offenses — United States Sentencing Commission
Polygraph tests correctly identify about 85% of guilty individuals in general, though they are not 100% accurate and do not directly detect lies.
Why giving polygraph tests to sex offenders is a terrible idea — The Guardian
Factors associated with parental conflict, such as separation or divorce, can encourage fabrication of child sexual abuse allegations, often to gain advantage in disputes.
False Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse — Institut national de santé publique du Québec
📰 Source Timeline (7)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 17, 2026
5:47 AM
Actor Timothy Busfield's attorneys say an investigation undermines state's child sex abuse charges
New information:
- Busfield’s attorneys formally asked the New Mexico court to release him pending trial, arguing that an independent Warner Bros. investigation found the allegations unfounded and prosecutors omitted that from their complaint.
- The defense claims the parents of the accusing twins have a documented history of fraud and dishonesty and argue the abuse claims only surfaced after the boys lost their roles on the show, creating what they say is a financial or retaliatory motive.
- Busfield’s team says he passed a polygraph test, and notes New Mexico is one of the few states where polygraph evidence can sometimes be admitted, subject to a judge’s discretion and strict requirements.
January 15, 2026
1:00 PM
Timothy Busfield’s lie detector offer is ‘public relations stunt’ as he faces child sex abuse charges: expert
New information:
- Confirms that Judge Felicia Blea-Rivera ordered Timothy Busfield held without bond at his first appearance and set a Jan. 29 deadline for a preliminary hearing.
- Details that Busfield’s defense publicized an independent polygraph test the actor purportedly passed, which legal experts in the piece characterize as a PR move with no legal weight in court.
- Provides expert explanation from former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani and Fox News legal contributor Donna Rotunno that no-bail detention is common in multi-victim, minor sex-crime cases and that judges focus on flight risk and danger to the community, not polygraph results.
- Clarifies that the defense is expected to seek release later and challenge probable cause at the preliminary hearing after reviewing discovery.
January 14, 2026
10:33 PM
Timothy Busfield makes court appearance in child sex abuse case
New information:
- Busfield made his first court appearance in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court a day after turning himself in on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- Prosecutors filed a motion to keep him in custody pending trial, arguing no combination of release conditions can protect victims or the community and citing research on offenders who wield authority and status.
- Deputy DA Savannah Brandenburg-Koch disclosed a new allegation from a father who says Busfield kissed and inappropriately touched his then‑16‑year‑old daughter during an audition at B Street Theatre in Sacramento several years ago and allegedly pleaded with the family not to report it if he obtained therapy.
- The prosecution’s motion characterizes Busfield’s behavior as a documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming over two decades, and notes witnesses’ fears of retaliation and professional harm.
- Prosecutors criticized Busfield for releasing a video to TMZ asserting his innocence before surrendering, framing it as prioritizing narrative control over court compliance, while Busfield’s lawyer says he took and passed an independent polygraph contesting the current allegations.
January 13, 2026
10:08 PM
Actor Timothy Busfield turns himself in following child sex abuse allegations
New information:
- Albuquerque police confirm Timothy Busfield surrendered on Tuesday and was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on a child sex abuse charge tied to two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor.
- The criminal complaint details that one twin reported Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing three or four times at age 7 and five or six times at age 8 on the set of Fox’s 'The Cleaning Lady.'
- The second twin told authorities Busfield touched him but did not specify where; one child has since been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety and reports nightmares about Busfield touching him.
- Busfield, in a video to TMZ, calls the allegations 'all lies' and suggests the boys’ mother is retaliating because her children were replaced on the series, while acknowledging he may have picked up and tickled the boys in what he describes as a 'playful' set environment.
- Warner Bros.’ internal investigation into the allegations reportedly could not corroborate the abuse claims, and Busfield’s wife Melissa Gilbert has deactivated her Instagram and, through a publicist, says she is supporting him but will not speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.
2:43 PM
US Marshals seek Timothy Busfield after child sex abuse allegations
New information:
- Albuquerque Police Department confirms it is now working with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and arrest Timothy Busfield, with Marshals taking a lead fugitive‑investigation role.
- APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos says there is no timeline yet for getting Busfield into custody.
- Warner Bros. Television issued a statement saying it takes misconduct allegations seriously, has internal systems to investigate and act when needed, and is cooperating with law enforcement.
- The article reiterates that Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, deleted her Instagram account after news of the warrant, underscoring fallout in his personal and professional circles.
January 10, 2026
7:29 PM
Actor Timothy Busfield faces child sex abuse charge in New Mexico
New information:
- The alleged abuse occurred on the set of Fox series 'The Cleaning Lady,' which Busfield directed and acted in.
- The complaint states the child reported Busfield touched him three or four times when he was 7 and five or six times when he was 8.
- The alleged abuse timeframe is specified as between November 2022 and spring 2024.
- A doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted police in November 2024, prompting the investigation.
- The child has been diagnosed with post‑traumatic stress disorder and anxiety and reports recurrent nightmares about Busfield touching him.
- Warner Bros. conducted its own investigation into the allegations but reported being unable to corroborate them.
- The warrant charges Busfield with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor.