Timothy Busfield, the actor known for “Thirtysomething” and “The West Wing,” is in legal trouble. He was recently held without bail after appearing in court on child sex abuse charges.
Busfield’s lawyer claimed that the actor took a lie detector test and passed, denying all the accusations. However, a former federal prosecutor, Neama Rahmani, suggested this might have been a publicity move, since lie detector tests aren’t usually allowed as evidence in court.
Rahmani explained that judges often keep people accused of sex crimes in jail to protect the community, especially when children are involved. He said judges are usually more careful in high-profile cases like this.
Busfield, who is 68, turned himself in after an arrest warrant was issued. He is facing charges that include criminal sexual contact with a minor and child abuse.
Another legal expert, Donna Rotunno, pointed out that while it’s common to hold defendants without bail in felony sex crime cases, it’s less common when the accusations are old.
Prosecutors argued that Busfield is a danger to children and the community. They claimed he used his authority to gain access to minors and showed a pattern of inappropriate behavior over many years. They also said that some witnesses were afraid to report him.
According to the arrest warrant, two 11-year-old twins alleged that Busfield touched them inappropriately on the set of “The Cleaning Lady.” One of the twins said it happened when he was alone with Busfield in a bedroom on set. The warrant also mentioned that hospital staff believed the children showed signs of being “groomed.”
Busfield reportedly told police that the parents of the boys might be seeking “revenge” because their children were replaced on the show. He admitted he might have picked up the children but said it was to create a playful environment and that it would have happened in front of their parents.
Warner Bros. conducted an independent investigation and said they found no proof of inappropriate behavior.
Adding to the complexity, another allegation surfaced. Colin Swift reported that Busfield allegedly sexually abused his daughter in California several years ago when she was 16.
Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, is standing by him during this difficult time and has asked for privacy.
