Actor Timothy Busfield has been released from custody as he awaits trial for multiple charges of child sex abuse.
The 68-year-old actor was initially held in custody while a judge considered whether he should stay incarcerated until his trial or be released.
Prosecutors had pushed for his detention, but following a two-hour pretrial detention hearing in a San Bernalillo, New Mexico district court on Tuesday, Jan. 20, the judge decided that Busfield could be released until his trial begins.
“Given the lack of a pattern involving children in this case, I think that can be remedied through different conditions of release,” the judge remarked during the ruling.
“I don’t find that there’s been sufficient presentation that this defendant may commit new crimes if released pending trial. There’s no evidence of a pattern of criminal conduct. There are no similar allegations involving children in his past. There’s no evidence of non-compliance with prior court orders.”
The judge added, “Rather, this defendant self-surrendered and submitted himself to this court’s jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the court order for his arrest.”
The judge declared, “I cannot find that the state has proven by clear and convincing evidence that there are no release conditions that would reasonably protect the safety of any younger person in the community.”
As conditions for his release, Busfield must appear for all his court appointments, avoid possessing firearms or dangerous weapons, not consume alcohol or illegal drugs, refrain from contacting the alleged victims or their families, avoid discussing the case with witnesses, and not have unsupervised contact with minors.
He is allowed to travel, but must report his whereabouts to the court and be supervised by Pretrial Services in New Mexico.
Busfield first appeared in court on Wednesday, Jan. 14, facing charges that include two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor (under 13) and one count of child abuse.
The allegations reportedly involve two 11-year-old boys Busfield met on the set of The Cleaning Lady.
An arrest warrant was issued on January 9 by the Albuquerque Police Department, leading to a nationwide search, but Busfield surrendered to the police voluntarily on January 13.
He has consistently denied the accusations and addressed them in a video statement before his surrender.
“They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it,” he said in the video. “I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Since the warrant made headlines, another accuser has come forward, alleging Busfield abused a 16-year-old girl in 2001.
Busfield has also denied these new allegations, with his civil attorney Larry Stein commenting that the claims “were never challenged, they were never proved, and they’re 25 years old.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or wish to speak to someone confidentially about child welfare, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) is available 24/7 and takes calls from the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.