A judge has ordered the release of actor and director Timothy Busfield pending trial on charges of child sex abuse. Busfield has been in custody in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since surrendering to authorities last week. The allegations claim that he groped a 7-year-old boy while directing episodes of the television series The Cleaning Lady on Fox.
During a court hearing on October 3, 2023, prosecutors urged Judge David Murphy to keep Busfield in custody, arguing he represents a danger to the community. They cited the nature of the charges as a reason for concern. However, Judge Murphy decided to grant Busfield pre-trial release, noting his lack of a prior criminal history. As part of the conditions for his release, Busfield is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with minors.
Busfield’s attorney, Christopher Dodd, emphasized his client’s willingness to confront the allegations. “He is ready to fight this case and he is going to fight this case,” Dodd stated. He also pointed out that the alleged victim had initially denied any sexual contact when first interviewed by police.
In support of Busfield, the defense called Alan Caudillo, the director of photography for The Cleaning Lady. Caudillo testified that he was present with Busfield throughout the shooting and never witnessed any inappropriate behavior. “Is it possible that Mr. Busfield inappropriately touched (the alleged victim) on the set of The Cleaning Lady? No,” Caudillo said, adding that there were at least ten people on set with the child at all times.
Despite the defense’s arguments, Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, an assistant deputy district attorney, noted that Busfield has faced previous allegations of sexual misconduct, although none have led to criminal charges. “The behavior hasn’t stopped,” she argued. “In fact, it’s continued, as we see in these reports and other allegations. He has continued to get away with them.” Brandenburg-Koch expressed concern over the possibility of Busfield reoffending given the power dynamics involved in his position.
The discussion around Busfield’s release highlights the legal framework in New Mexico, where there is no cash bail system. Defendants are generally entitled to pre-trial release unless the state can demonstrate that they pose a danger to the community. District Attorney Sam Bregman reiterated that his office usually seeks to detain defendants in cases involving child abuse.
The case has attracted significant media attention, and as it progresses, the legal implications will likely continue to unfold in the public eye.
