New Mexico authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Timothy Busfield, a director and Emmy Award-winning actor, charging him with child sexual abuse. The charge arises from allegations that Busfield engaged in inappropriate contact with a minor during the production of "The Cleaning Lady," a television series he both directed and acted in.
According to a criminal complaint filed by an investigator from the Albuquerque Police Department, the child, identified only by his initials, reported that the inappropriate touching began when he was 7 years old, occurring three to four times. Subsequently, at age 8, Busfield allegedly touched the child five to six times more. The child’s mother filed a report with Child Protective Services detailing that the abuse took place between November 2022 and the spring of 2024.
The arrest warrant, authorized by a judge, specifies two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. The child involved has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, as documented by a social worker. The child has reportedly experienced nightmares involving the alleged abuse and has woken up in fear. Fear of Busfield’s reaction—given his role as director—discouraged the child from disclosing the abuse earlier.
The investigation initiated in November 2024, prompted by a call from a University of New Mexico Hospital doctor. The child’s parents had sought medical evaluation following legal advice from a law firm, according to details from the complaint.
"The Cleaning Lady," which aired for four seasons on Fox and concluded in 2025, follows the story of a Cambodian doctor who moves to the United States seeking medical treatment for her son. The narrative unfolds as she witnesses a mob killing and becomes involved in organized crime as a cleaner. The series starred Elodie Yung and was produced by Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. reportedly conducted its own investigation into the allegations but has not been able to confirm the claims made. Busfield, in addition to his work on "The Cleaning Lady," is known for roles in "The West Wing," "Field of Dreams," and the series "Thirtysomething," for which he received an Emmy award in 1991 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Busfield is married to fellow actor Melissa Gilbert; however, there has been no immediate response to queries sent to her publicist. Additionally, efforts to reach Busfield’s attorney and agent for comment were not successful as of late Friday.