• Actor Timothy Busfield released from jail pending trial on child sex abuse charges.
• Charges involve allegations of inappropriate touching of twin boys during filming.
• Judge characterized the evidence as "neutral" but allowed Busfield's release.
• Prosecution claims a history of grooming behavior; the defense denies allegations.
• Trial date has not yet been established, with preliminary hearings scheduled.

A judge in New Mexico has ordered the release of actor Timothy Busfield from jail while he awaits trial on serious child sexual abuse charges. The order was issued by state district court Judge David Murphy, who described the evidence against Busfield as "neutral" during the hearing. Busfield is accused of inappropriately touching two young boys, who were then cast in the TV series "The Cleaning Lady," where he served as director and producer, according to CBS News, BBC, and Reuters.

Busfield, aged 68, was taken into custody following a criminal complaint that alleged he abused twin boys aged 11 at the time of reporting. The incidents reportedly occurred over a two-year period when the boys were aged 7 to 8. He surrendered to authorities after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Following the release order, Busfield is allowed to return home but must comply with multiple bail conditions, including avoiding contact with the alleged victims and being prohibited from possessing firearms or drugs, as reported by BBC and Reuters.

During the court proceedings, prosecution argued for continued detention, citing a "documented pattern" of inappropriate behavior by Busfield, while defense attorneys contended that the allegations are unfounded. Busfield's lawyers presented over 70 letters vouching for his character and noted he passed a polygraph test, which the prosecutors contested. The defense maintained that the allegations arose after the boys were terminated from the series, implying possible motives of revenge from the parents, according to CBS News and Reuters.

The preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 29, where prosecutors will need to establish sufficient probable cause to proceed with the case. Both boys involved in the case had reportedly denied they were sexually abused in earlier police interviews, which the defense claimed supports their argument. Moreover, witnesses, including staff from the set, suggested they never observed inappropriate conduct by Busfield, adding complexity to the narrative of the allegations, as highlighted by BBC and Reuters.