Judge Tosses Child Sex Abuse Charges Against Actor Timothy Busfield

State District Judge Joseph Montano dismissed the indictment against actor Timothy Busfield on Friday, citing mistakes that undermined the grand jury process and stating the prosecutor "failed to act in a fair and impartial manner." The Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney in Bernalillo County is reviewing its options.

Busfield surrendered to authorities in January after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was initially taken into custody in Albuquerque on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. Prosecutors had alleged that Busfield groomed and sexually abused two unnamed boys between October 2022 and September 2023, while working on the production of "The Cleaning Lady." The indictment stated that Busfield "touched or applied force to the intimate parts" of one of the boys when he was under 13.

Authorities claimed the boys referred to Busfield as "Uncle Tim" and alleged he would "tickle them on the stomach and legs." The arrest affidavit stated both boys told authorities they were touched inappropriately for years. Busfield's defense team submitted more than 70 character letters and stated the actor passed a polygraph test related to the allegations. Lawyers for Busfield had argued that the accusations were an act of revenge after the children were fired from the series, which angered their mother.

Busfield was later released pending trial. A legal representative for Busfield has been contacted by the BBC. No further details on the district attorney's next steps were immediately available.