• Timothy Busfield indicted on four counts of child sexual contact in New Mexico.
• Allegations stem from his work on "The Cleaning Lady" involving two child actors.
• Busfield has denied the charges and plans to contest them vigorously.
• The district attorney emphasizes commitment to protecting children in this case.
• The charges could lead to a six-year prison sentence per count if convicted.

Actor Timothy Busfield has been indicted by a New Mexico grand jury on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child, stemming from allegations related to his work on the Fox series "The Cleaning Lady." The charges were confirmed by the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, which stated that the case will proceed through the judicial process and is expected to move to trial, highlighting that protecting children remains a top priority for the office according to ABC News and Los Angeles Times.

The indictment arises from accusations that Busfield, 68, inappropriately touched two child actors, who are now 11 years old, during his time as director and producer on "The Cleaning Lady." A complaint initially filed by police alleged incidents occurring when the boys were seven and eight years old, with one child reportedly stating he was scared to come forward due to fear of Busfield's anger according to CBS News and Reuters.

Busfield has publicly denied the allegations, characterizing them as “lies,” and his attorney indicated that he would vigorously fight the charges, claiming that significant weaknesses in the prosecution's case were exposed during a recent detention hearing. The defense has also accused the children's parents of coaching them to make incriminating statements after they were dropped from the series according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

A judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence for pretrial detention, ordering Busfield's release on his own recognizance. The felony charges he faces could result in up to six years in prison for each count if he is convicted. At the hearing, his defense presented over 70 character testimonies and suggested that Busfield had undergone a polygraph test regarding the allegations, which he passed according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.