Busfield's Child Abuse Charges Dismissed; Gilbert Celebrates with 'Willy Wonka' Quote

Key points

• Judge Joseph Montano of the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque dismissed the indictment against Timothy Busfield on October 16, 2026.
• The dismissal was based on findings of prosecutorial misconduct, specifically the failure to properly instruct grand jurors on procedures for calling additional witnesses.
• Busfield, 69, had been indicted in February on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child related to incidents with twin boys during his work on 'The Cleaning Lady' between 2022 and 2024.
• Melissa Gilbert, 62, posted the line 'So shines a good deed in a weary world' from the 1971 film 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' on Instagram following the ruling.
• Busfield's attorney, Amanda Fayerberg, stated her client was 'relieved and grateful,' while District Attorney Greer Staley argued the defense mishandled evidence submissions.
• Prosecutors have not yet determined whether to seek a new indictment, and each count in the original charge carried a potential six-year prison sentence.

Background

Busfield turned himself in in January 2026 after allegations of unlawful sexual conduct with twin actors from 'The Cleaning Lady.' He pleaded not guilty in February, with a trial originally scheduled for May 2027. In April, Gilbert publicly defended her husband, stating she was '100 percent confident' he would be exonerated, while acknowledging that their professional plans were effectively over. The couple had moved from their Manhattan apartment to upstate New York earlier in the year.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six and USA Today emphasized Gilbert's public reaction, noting her Instagram post quoting Gene Wilder's character in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.' The New York Times focused on the legal specifics, highlighting Judge Montano's written order that the prosecutor failed to act in a fair and impartial manner. The Albuquerque Journal detailed the procedural failures, noting that the prosecutor told jurors that additional witness testimony would require a subpoena and 36-hour notice, despite the possibility of voluntary testimony. While Page Six and USA Today highlighted the emotional relief of the defense, The New York Times and Albuquerque Journal noted that prosecutors retain the right to refile charges, and District Attorney Greer Staley pushed back against the defense's claims, arguing that Busfield spent three hours trying to steer jurors toward favorable evidence.

Why it matters

The dismissal highlights the critical role of procedural integrity in grand jury proceedings and the potential for prosecutorial misconduct to undermine criminal cases. It also underscores the personal and professional toll on public figures facing serious allegations, as well as the ongoing uncertainty for victims and families when charges are dismissed on technical grounds rather than on the merits of the evidence.

What to watch

Prosecutors in New Mexico must decide whether to seek a new indictment against Busfield. If they do, the case may proceed to trial, potentially with a new grand jury. If not, the case may be closed, though the dismissal does not exonerate Busfield on the merits of the allegations. Gilbert and Busfield may also face continued public scrutiny and potential civil litigation from the families of the alleged victims.