On Tuesday, acclaimed actor Timothy Busfield surrendered to law enforcement in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to face charges related to child sexual abuse. These allegations stem from claims that Busfield engaged in inappropriate contact with a minor on the set of a television production that he was directing in New Mexico. The action followed the issuance of an arrest warrant on Friday by Albuquerque authorities, accusing Busfield of two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and an additional count of child abuse.
The accusations center around the production "The Cleaning Lady," which filmed scenes in Albuquerque. Busfield has a notable acting history, including prominent roles in "The West Wing," "Field of Dreams," and "Thirtysomething," for which he received an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1991. He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert.
Stanton Stein, representing Busfield legally, stated, "Tim voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities after traveling across the country to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations. He is innocent and is determined to clear his name."
Upon his arrest, Busfield was booked on the charges as confirmed by Gilbert Gallegos, spokesperson for Albuquerque Police. His initial court appearance was scheduled for the following day, Wednesday.
In response to the allegations, NBC postponed airing an episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" on which Busfield guest-starred as a judge. The episode, originally slated for Thursday broadcast, was withdrawn as the series focuses on sex crimes, intensifying scrutiny on the actor.
The criminal complaint, filed by a police department investigator, details that a seven-year-old boy reported Busfield touched him inappropriately three to four times over his clothing. Subsequently, when the boy was eight, the contact allegedly occurred five to six more times. Busfield has denied these accusations during an interview conducted by authorities in the previous fall, asserting no wrongdoing.
Further complicating the case, the boy’s twin brother also informed authorities of being touched by Busfield, though specifics regarding the nature of contact were not detailed in the complaint. The twins reportedly did not disclose these incidents at first due to fears of punishment and because Busfield was the director on set.
According to the complaint, during the investigation, Busfield suggested the allegations stemmed from retaliation from the boys’ mother related to her children’s replacement on the series. This was echoed by Busfield's attorney on Tuesday. He mentioned that any interaction, such as picking up or tickling the boys, was part of a playful atmosphere on set rather than harmful behavior.
Stein, Busfield’s attorney, referenced findings from a private investigation commissioned by Warner Bros. The studio-conducted probe reportedly did not corroborate the allegations, as the investigator was unable to identify anyone providing evidence of Busfield's misconduct. Attempts to contact the Warner Bros. investigator for comment were unsuccessful.
Footage recorded by TMZ showed Busfield in Albuquerque describing his arrival after a 2,000-mile journey and asserting his intention to confront the accusations, which he labeled as "horrible" and "all lies."
The search for Busfield involved cooperation with the U.S. Marshals Service, extending inquiries beyond New Mexico including New York City, before he voluntarily presented himself at a detention center in Albuquerque.
Court records identify the twins only by their initials and reveal the mother reported the alleged abuse occurred from November 2022 through spring 2024, also notifying Child Protective Services. The complaint adds that one of the boys has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, with a social worker documenting his experiences of distressing nightmares featuring Busfield.
Busfield’s spouse, actress Melissa Gilbert, through a publicist, announced she will not make public comments at this time, focusing on family support during legal proceedings. The publicist stated Gilbert "stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time."
The investigation was initiated in November 2024, triggered by a report from a University of New Mexico Hospital doctor after the twins' parents sought medical attention recommended by an external law firm. "The Cleaning Lady" was broadcast for four seasons on Fox, concluding in 2025. Produced by Warner Bros., the studio expressed that, while a private investigation was conducted, it found no substantiating evidence regarding the abuse claims.
The legal process is ongoing and the case's complexities continue to unfold as authorities, the defense, and the public await further developments.