Emmy-Winning Actor Timothy Busfield Surrenders to New Mexico Police Amid Child Sex Abuse Charges
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Veteran actor and director Timothy Busfield surrendered to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to face charges of child sexual abuse. The 68-year-old, best known for his roles in The West Wing and thirtysomething, was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County following the issuance of an arrest warrant last week.
Busfield faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from allegations involving two brothers, both child actors, on the set of the Fox crime drama The Cleaning Lady. According to the criminal complaint filed by the Albuquerque Police Department, the alleged abuse occurred between November 2022 and the spring of 2024, while Busfield was working as a director and executive producer on the series.
The arrest warrant affidavit details accusations that Busfield inappropriately touched the boys, who were 7 and 8 years old at the time, on multiple occasions. The complaint alleges that one of the children was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety related to the incidents. The investigation began in November 2024 after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police to potential abuse reported by the children’s family.
Busfield has vehemently denied the allegations. In a video statement released to TMZ shortly before his surrender, the actor described the claims as “horrible” and “all lies.” Speaking with the Albuquerque skyline in the background, Busfield stated he had driven 2,000 miles to turn himself in and intends to “fight” the charges.
During interviews with investigators cited in the affidavit, Busfield suggested the accusations were motivated by vengeance. He claimed the children’s mother was angry that her sons were not invited back for the show’s final season and had allegedly vowed to seek revenge. His legal team has echoed these sentiments, asserting that the actor is innocent and will be exonerated.
Warner Bros. Television, which produced The Cleaning Lady, stated that it had previously conducted an internal investigation into misconduct allegations but found no evidence to corroborate the claims at that time. The studio affirmed it is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Busfield’s career spans four decades in Hollywood. He won an Emmy Award in 1991 for his supporting role as Elliot Weston in the drama thirtysomething and gained widespread recognition as Danny Concannon in the political drama The West Wing. He also appeared in the film Field of Dreams. He is currently married to actress Melissa Gilbert, known for Little House on the Prairie.
This is not the first time Busfield has faced legal scrutiny regarding sexual misconduct, though previous instances did not result in criminal convictions. In 1994, he settled a lawsuit filed by a minor who accused him of sexual battery, and in 2012, a sexual battery case involving an adult woman was dropped by prosecutors due to insufficient evidence.
Busfield remains in custody as prosecutors have filed a motion to detain him pending trial.
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Image Description for Editorial Use
A split-screen composition featuring a close-up headshot of Timothy Busfield from a recent red carpet event on the left, contrasting with an exterior shot of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on the right. The lighting on Busfield is professional and bright, while the detention center is shown under overcast skies to reflect the gravity of the situation.
Illustration Description for Blog/Feature
A courtroom sketch-style illustration depicting a silhouette of a director’s chair labeled “The Cleaning Lady” sitting empty in the foreground. In the background, a gavel rests heavily on a legal document, with the faint outline of a camera lens observing the scene, symbolizing the intersection of the entertainment industry and legal scrutiny.
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Social Media Posts
- Twitter/X: Breaking: Emmy-winner Timothy Busfield has surrendered to New Mexico police to face child sex abuse charges. The actor denies the allegations, calling them “all lies.” #TimothyBusfield #BreakingNews #Hollywood
- Facebook: Actor Timothy Busfield, known for “The West Wing” and “thirtysomething,” is in police custody in New Mexico facing charges of criminal sexual contact with a minor. He claims the allegations are a revenge plot. Read the full details of the investigation here.
- Instagram: Breaking News: Timothy Busfield has turned himself in to authorities in Albuquerque following an arrest warrant for child sex abuse charges. The allegations stem from his time directing “The Cleaning Lady.” Busfield maintains his innocence.
- LinkedIn: Legal Update: Director and actor Timothy Busfield has been booked on charges related to misconduct on the set of Fox’s “The Cleaning Lady.” Warner Bros. Television confirms cooperation with law enforcement following an internal investigation.
