Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield was ordered held without bond at his first court appearance Wednesday, a day after he turned himself in to authorities to face charges of child sexual abuse.

The charges stem from allegations that he inappropriately touched a minor on the set of a TV series he directed in New Mexico.

Busfield appeared remotely via video link from the jail, where he was booked on Tuesday. Whether he remains in prison will be the subject of a detention hearing that will be scheduled within five business days.

Busfield did not comment during a brief court appearance. He was not required to plead guilty.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 29.

Albuquerque police issued a warrant for Busfield’s arrest last week on two counts of sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. The criminal complaint states that the acts took place during the filming of the series Cleaning ladywhich was filmed in Albuquerque.

Busfield, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert and is known for his appearances in West Wing, Field of Dreams and thirty something has vowed to fight the charges. In a video he shared before he turned himself in, Busfield called the allegations lies.

An alleged pattern of bad behavior over decades

Prosecutors are asking that Busfield be held in custody pending trial. They filed a motion early Wednesday detailing their reasons for the request, pointing to what they described as a documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of power and grooming by Busfield over two decades.

They also said witnesses expressed fears of retaliation and professional injury.

The request states that research and experience show that offenders are in a unique position to avoid accountability and circumvent safeguards designed to protect children when they possess authority, status or influence.

“In light of the defendant’s demonstrated disregard for boundaries, authority and respect, no condition or combination of conditions of release can reasonably protect the victims or the community,” the motion states.

It is up to the judge to decide whether to grant the request. A detention hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Prosecutors also addressed Busfield’s release of the video to TMZ on Tuesday, suggesting he had prioritized “personal control of the narrative and public relations” over compliance with the court process.

According to the criminal complaint, a police department investigator says the child reported he was seven years old when Busfield touched him multiple times in private areas over his clothing. Busfield allegedly touched him on another occasion when he was eight years old, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit also says the child was allegedly afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the principal and was afraid he would get mad at him.

The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get into trouble.

The twins’ mother reported the abuse to Child Protective Services between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint states.

In an interview with police last fall, Busfield denied the allegations and suggested the boy’s mother was seeking revenge for her children being replaced on the show. The argument was repeated by Busfield’s lawyer on Tuesday.

The investigation began in November 2024 after a call from doctors at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. The boy’s parents went there on the recommendation of the lawyer’s office, according to the complaint.

Busfield’s lawyer said an independent investigation by Warner Bros. failed to confirm allegations of inappropriate behavior by Busfield. But in their filing, prosecutors argued that the investigator did not speak to key witnesses.