This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
Since he wastaken into custodyonchild sex abuse charges, actorTimothy Busfieldhas garnered a solid support base of family friends and Hollywood colleagues.
More than 70 people wrote letters to a New Mexico judge attesting to the 68-year-old's character, according to a Jan. 16court filingfrom Busfield's legal team reviewed by USA TODAY.
The character witnesses ranged from Busfield's kindergarten friends to neighbors, former costars and family members. His wife, the actorMelissa Gilbert, her children and mother Barbara Gilbert Cowan were among the relatives who submitted letters alongside Busfield's siblings and his son, Samuel Busfield.
"The West Wing" alum's costars on ABC's Emmy-winning series "Thirtysomething," including Polly Draper, Peter Horton, Mel Harris, Ken Olin, Patricia Wettig Olin and Melanie Mayron each wrote positive messages of support, as did showrunners Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick.
Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers. He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.
Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Busfield takes notes during the hearing. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Busfield's wife attends his hearing. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges
Actor and directorTimothy Busfieldis be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail ashe faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico.The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearfulMelissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
Busfield is charged withtwo counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.He is accused of"inappropriate physical contact" with two child actors, who were 7 and 8 years old at the time, as they worked on the Busfield-directed Fox series "The Cleaning Lady" between late 2022 and early 2024, according to prosecutors.
One of the boys, who has allegedly been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, disclosed during a safe house interview that Busfield had touched the child's genitals over clothing several times while they were on set. His twin brother "independently disclosed unwanted touching" by Busfield and "corroborated the pattern of inappropriate physical contact," per prosecutors.
Busfield has denied all claims, alleging the accusations are an act of retaliation after the boys were recast on the show.
'Thirtysomething' costars trust Timothy Busfield 'completely'
"I know Tim up close and personal, and over time. Tim is not only a great actor and a really good director, more than all of that, Tim is a good man. Through and through," Horton wrote, in part, in his letter to the judge, noting he's known his former costar for 38 years.
As an onscreen couple in "Thirtysomething," Wettig Olin wrote, "We had two children, ages three and six. Watching Tim on the set with those kids was extraordinary. He was delightful."
"They loved him and they trusted him completely. We had intimate scenes with them where we held them in bed with us and we played with them on the floor. I admired how easily Tim could give up his personal ego and any needs of his own, so he could be present to give them his complete focus and generous heart," she continued.
"He is a wonderful man and I trust him completely."
Busfield's defense attorneys gathered the dozens of letters in the span of about a week. He'd surrendered to authorities on Jan. 13, following an arrest warrant that was issued Jan. 9. In the hours after a judgedenied the state's request to keep him behind barsuntil his trial, Busfieldwas released from jailon Jan. 20.
Melissa Gilbert's son Michael Boxleitner says 'Timothy Busfield is my hero'
Gilbert, the actor'swife of more than a decade, wrote inher letter to the judgethat Busfield is "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life. He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family."
Her mother, Gilbert Cowan, said "the world is a better place with Timothy Busfield in it," while her son Michael Boxleitner – Busfield's "youngest stepson" – wrote, "Timothy Busfield is my hero."
"Little House on the Prairie" actor Melissa Gilbert announced that she will support her husband, "West Wing" actor Timothy Busfield, amid alleged child sex abuse claims against him, in a statement provided to People magazine and Us Weekly. The couple married in 2013.See them in pictures together through the years, beginning here at the opening night party for "Medea" at the BAM Harvey Theater on Jan. 30, 2020, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Gilbert and Busfield attend the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 20, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the Nymphes D'Or award ceremony during the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 20, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gilbert and Busfield attend "The Butcher Boy" opening night at Irish Repertory Theatre on Aug. 1, 2022, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See actors Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert together in photos
"Little House on the Prairie" actor Melissa Gilbertannounced that she will support her husband, "West Wing" actor Timothy Busfield, amidalleged child sex abuse claimsagainst him, in a statement provided toPeople magazineandUs Weekly. The couple married in 2013.See them in pictures together through the years, beginning here at the opening night party for "Medea" at the BAM Harvey Theater on Jan. 30, 2020, in New York City.
In prosecutors'motion for pretrial detention, it was revealed that the family of another alleged victim came forward.
A man, Colin Swift, told law enforcement on Jan. 13 that Busfield sexually abused his daughter "several years ago" in Northern California. The allegation is not part of the criminal complaint against the actor.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Timothy Busfield's 'Thirtysomething' costars submit letters of support
