Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield, known for his roles in “The West Wing” and “Thirtysomething,” has been charged with child sex abuse, igniting a firestorm of allegations and raising unsettling questions about conduct behind the scenes in Hollywood.
Busfield, 68, made his first court appearance on Wednesday regarding accusations of sexually abusing two boys while working on a television series. the actor appeared remotely via video link from jail, having turned himself in too authorities in Albuquerque on Tuesday.
He is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, and a judge has ordered him to be held without bond. prosecutors allege Busfield engaged in grooming and sexual abuse of the children.
Busfield during his court appearance on Wednesday
An arrest warrant for Busfield was issued on Monday. He subsequently surrendered to the Albuquerque Police Department on Tuesday and was booked into the Bernalillo County jail without the possibility of bail, according to Nancy Laflin, a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office.
Prior to his surrender, Busfield released a video statement online, vehemently denying the allegations. “I’m going to be exonerated. I know I am,” he asserted. “I did not do anything to those little boys,” he added in the 45-second clip.
Though, in a sworn statement given to investigators in November, Busfield acknowledged having some physical contact with the boys, describing it as playful-tickling or picking them up-and stating that others were typically present. He also suggested the accusations might stem fro
The accusations centre around incidents allegedly occurring while Busfield was working on a television series in New Mexico. Details surrounding the specific series and the timeline of the alleged abuse remain limited, as the investigation is ongoing. The victims’ identities are being protected.
Busfield’s wife, Melissa Gilbert, is widely known for her childhood role on the beloved 1970s family drama “Little House On The Prairie.” Gilbert has not yet publicly commented on the charges against her husband.
What happened? Timothy Busfield,68,was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. Who is involved? The charges stem from allegations made by two boys regarding incidents that occurred while Busfield was working on a television series. Why were charges filed? Prosecutors allege Busfield engaged in grooming and sexual abuse of the children. How did it end? Busfield surrendered to authorities and is currently being held without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings. He maintains his innocence.
