Timothy Busfield Steps Back Into Luxury As Cameras Catch His First Day Out

Timothy Busfield’s first day out of jail was a total contrast to the week he spent behind bars. 

Just hours after being released from custody in New Mexico, the 68-year-old  was photographed re-entering a world of comfort, quiet routines, and familiar privilege. 

Cameras captured Busfield trading confinement for convenience, marking his first public appearance since his arrest. 

The outing unfolded as legal pressure mounted and personal support rallied closely around him.

Timothy Busfield’s first day of freedom included swapping out his jail jumpsuit for a neat pair of navy slacks and a casual grocery run, the Daily Mail revealed. 

Cameras captured the actor stopping by Citarella and Trader Joe’s, marking his first public outing after being released from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday.

Busfield had spent a week in custody following his January 13 surrender to Albuquerque police on child molestation charges. 

During his incarceration, he was housed in the Restrictive Housing Unit, a section of the jail reserved for inmates requiring additional protection. 

Photos taken shortly after his release showed a visibly groomed Busfield outside his temporary residence, a scene that stood in sharp contrast to the rigid jail schedule that famously wakes inmates at 5 a.m. for breakfast.

After leaving the detention center, Timothy Busfield was seen exiting a white Toyota 4Runner SUV outside Villa de Rafael, a swanky Italian-style mansion in Albuquerque. 

The property is currently being rented by his wife, Melissa Gilbert, at a cost of $2,483 for three nights. 

Busfield appeared relaxed as he stepped out of the vehicle, a clear shift from his earlier courtroom appearance.

The rental includes a private hot tub, a separate backyard casita, and a main house featuring a striking stained-glass window dome. 

Guests also have access to a gas-fired barbecue, a spacious library, a fully stocked games room, and beds dressed in “high quality linens.”

Busfield’s wife, Gilbert, has remained firmly at his side. She was spotted at the rental property early Wednesday morning, casually taking out the trash in her pajamas. 

Her presence followed an emotional day in court, where she was seen crying tears of joy after Judge David Murphy ruled in favor of releasing her husband.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, the actress has continued to show public loyalty. 

She attended Tuesday’s hearing in Albuquerque, accompanied by a team of lawyers, and submitted a deeply personal letter to the judge ahead of the proceedings. 

In the letter, she wrote, “The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life.”

She went on to say, “He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.” 

Gilbert also emphasized the depth of their bond, writing, “I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way.”

While Gilbert’s support has been unwavering, the courtroom proceedings painted a far more contentious picture for Timothy Busfield. 

During the release hearing, prosecutors argued that he should remain behind bars, claiming he posed a danger to the public. 

The defense pushed back, stating that the allegations had already resulted in him being “canceled” and stripped of any professional power or influence.

Following the hearing, Gilbert thanked supporters for the “outpouring of support” her husband had received, a response that contrasted sharply with the prosecution’s claims. 

The case has continued to generate damaging headlines, including reports that additional alleged victims have come forward. Prosecutors described these accounts as evidence of “a pattern of inappropriate touching.”

Court documents filed ahead of the hearing also revealed intimate details from a sex offender risk evaluation. 

One section noted, “Mr Busfield reports he and his current wife have a satisfying sex life and at their ages they simply enjoy one another’s company and cuddling more often than engaging in sexual intercourse.” 

The report added, “Mr Busfield’s wife confirms his statements about a satisfying sexual relationship between them.”

The allegations against Busfield first became public on January 9, when the Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant accusing him of molesting twin 11-year-old boys while filming “The Cleaning Lady.”

After the warrant was issued, Busfield vanished from public view for several days, fueling speculation about his whereabouts.

Busfield resurfaced on January 13 in New Mexico, where he turned himself in after driving roughly 2,000 miles from his upstate New York cabin. 

The director was officially charged the same day and made his first court appearance on January 14. 

During that appearance, he was seen looking glum in an orange prison jumpsuit as the charges were read aloud.

A few days prior, Busfield denied all the accusations. In a video sent to TMZ while he was on his way to surrender, he said he was “devastated” by the allegations. 

Gilbert also stated publicly that she did not believe her husband had done anything wrong. 

Meanwhile, the defense has argued that the case amounts to a shakedown, claiming it began after the boys’ services were no longer required on the production set.