US Court Dismisses Child Sexual Abuse Indictment Against Timothy Busfield

A New Mexico judge has dismissed child sexual abuse charges against American actor and director Timothy Busfield, citing prosecutorial misconduct and errors in the grand jury proceedings that led to his indictment.

State District Judge Joseph Montano issued the ruling on Friday, October 16, 2026, granting a request by Busfield’s defence team to quash the four-count indictment. The judge found that prosecutors had failed to act fairly and impartially during the proceedings, including by improperly instructing grand jurors on the procedures for requesting additional witnesses.

The case arose from allegations involving two twin boys who worked as child actors on the Fox television series The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed and worked on between 2022 and 2024. According to a criminal complaint filed in January, one of the boys alleged that Busfield touched his private areas over his clothing when he was seven and again when he was eight. His twin brother also alleged inappropriate contact.

Busfield, 69, has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as false. His lawyers argued that the grand jury was prevented from hearing testimony from additional witnesses who could have supported his defence.

In his ruling, Montano said the prosecution’s handling of requests for additional testimony undermined the integrity of the grand jury process. The judge concluded that the proceedings violated legal safeguards governing the grand jury system.

Busfield’s lawyer welcomed the decision, saying the actor was relieved and grateful. The defence has maintained that the witnesses whom grand jurors wanted to hear from were available to testify.

However, the dismissal does not necessarily bring the legal matter to an end. The judge indicated that prosecutors remain free to initiate new criminal proceedings, provided they comply with the applicable legal requirements.

The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office said it was evaluating its options and had not yet decided whether to seek another indictment.

Busfield is widely recognised for his roles in the television dramas The West Wing and Thirtysomething, as well as the film Field of Dreams.

The latest ruling concerns the legality of the grand jury proceedings that produced the indictment; it is not a determination that the allegations themselves were proven or disproven at trial.