Actor Timothy Busfield held without bond on child sex abuse charges

Timothy Busfield was ordered held without bond after turning himself in on charges of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse; a detention hearing is to be scheduled within five business days.

Actor Timothy Busfield was ordered held without bond at his first court appearance after he turned himself in to Albuquerque authorities on allegations of child sexual abuse. The charges relate to accusations that he inappropriately touched a minor on the set of a television series filmed in New Mexico. Prosecutors filed a motion seeking to keep him detained pending trial, citing an alleged pattern of misconduct and concerns about witnesses' fear of retaliation or professional harm. Busfield has denied the allegations and his attorney said an independent studio review did not corroborate the claims. Key facts: - Albuquerque authorities issued a warrant charging Busfield with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. - He surrendered to police, was booked and appeared remotely from jail, and a judge ordered him held without bond at the initial hearing. - Prosecutors asked for pretrial detention, citing an alleged history of misconduct and witness safety concerns. - A detention hearing to determine whether he will remain in custody is to be scheduled within five business days. Summary: The court action has left Busfield in custody while prosecutors pursue pretrial detention on the grounds of alleged risk to victims and witnesses. The next procedural step is a detention hearing to be set within five business days; further court proceedings will follow after that.