Attorneys for actor and director Timothy Busfield mounted a vigorous defense in a New Mexico court on January 17, 2026, arguing that new evidence fundamentally undermines the child sex abuse charges brought against him. In a significant escalation of the high-profile Timothy Busfield legal battle, the defense team presented filings indicating that an independent investigation by Warner Bros. found the allegations unsubstantiated and that Busfield has successfully passed a polygraph test.
Defense Cites "Exculpatory" Evidence in Albuquerque Court Case
During the latest proceedings in the Albuquerque court case, Busfield's legal counsel, led by attorney Larry Stein, argued for the actor's release pending trial. The defense revealed that Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind the Fox series The Cleaning Lady, had commissioned a third-party investigation into the allegations in the spring of 2025. According to the defense's filing, this probe was "unable to corroborate" any claims of inappropriate behavior by the The Cleaning Lady director.
Furthermore, the defense stated that Busfield, 68, voluntarily submitted to an independent polygraph examination earlier this week. "Tim Busfield denies the allegations in the criminal complaint and maintains they are completely false," Stein asserted, noting that the results showed "no deception" when Busfield denied the specific acts of abuse alleged in the criminal complaint.
Questioning the Accusers' Motives
A central pillar of the defense's strategy involves challenging the credibility of the accusers. The Timothy Busfield charges stem from allegations made by the parents of two 11-year-old twin brothers who worked as actors on The Cleaning Lady between 2022 and 2024. Busfield's attorneys argue that the allegations are retaliatory, emerging only after the children were "recast" and removed from the show.
The court filings presented on Friday allege that the parents have a "documented history of fraud and dishonesty." The defense contends that the accusations were leveraged for financial gain after the boys lost their roles, framing the legal action as a vendetta rather than a pursuit of justice. This narrative directly counters the prosecution's motion to keep Busfield detained, which cited a "pattern of misconduct."
Melissa Gilbert Stands by Her Husband
As the legal storm intensifies, Busfield's wife, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, has publicly voiced her support. In a statement released shortly after his surrender to authorities on January 13, a representative for Gilbert affirmed that she "stands with her husband" and is focused on supporting their family as they navigate this crisis.
The case has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, halting the career of the veteran actor known for his Emmy-winning role in thirtysomething and his work on The West Wing. While the prosecution pushes for continued detention citing the severity of the charges—including two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor—the defense is fighting to secure his release at the upcoming detention hearing scheduled for January 20.
New Allegations Complicate the Narrative
The defense's aggressive pushback comes amidst a widening scope of allegations. Earlier this week, prosecutors introduced a new claim involving a separate incident from years prior at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, allegedly involving a 16-year-old girl. However, Busfield's team maintains that these additional claims are being used to bolster a weak case centered on the discredited Cleaning Lady accusations.
As the celebrity news 2026 cycle focuses on this unfolding drama, the judge's decision on the admissibility of the polygraph results and the weight of the Warner Bros. investigation will be pivotal. For now, Busfield remains in custody in Bernalillo County, awaiting the court's ruling on his potential release.
