A judge in New Mexico has dismissed child sex abuse charges against actor Timothy Busfield, best known for his role in the television series "Thirtysomething."

State District Judge Joseph Montano granted the defence's motion to dismiss the indictment on Friday, citing mistakes that undermined the grand jury process.

Busfield had originally been taken into custody in Albuquerque on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. He surrendered to state authorities in January when a warrant was issued for his arrest. A judge later ordered his release pending trial.

The indictment said that on or between 19 October 2022 and 10 September 2023, Busfield "touched or applied force to the intimate parts" of one of the unnamed boys when he was under the age of 13.

Prosecutors had said the parents of the boys alleged that he groomed and sexually abused the youngsters while working on the television series "The Cleaning Lady." Authorities claimed the boys referred to Busfield as "Uncle Tim" and alleged that he "would tickle them on the stomach and legs." Both boys told authorities they were touched inappropriately for years, according to his arrest affidavit.

Busfield's lawyers argued the actor was being accused as an act of revenge after the children were fired from the series, which angered their mother.

His defence team submitted more than 70 letters from people vouching for his character and said he underwent and passed a polygraph test pertaining to the allegations against him.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney in Bernalillo County said: "Our office has received the order and is evaluating our options to determine how we will proceed."