Timothy Busfield Surrenders to New Mexico Authorities on Child Sex Abuse Charges
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Emmy-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield surrendered to the Albuquerque Police Department on Tuesday to face charges of child sex abuse. The 68-year-old actor, 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 that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with two 11-year-old twin brothers while working as a director and executive producer on the set of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady, which filmed in Albuquerque. According to the criminal complaint, the alleged abuse occurred between 2022 and 2024, when the boys were ages seven and eight.
Defense and Denial of Allegations
Prior to his surrender, Busfield vehemently denied the accusations in a video statement released to the media. Recording from his attorney’s office, Busfield characterized the allegations as false and vowed to fight the charges in court.
“I did not do anything wrong,” Busfield stated in the video, explaining that he drove approximately 2,000 miles from New York to New Mexico after being notified of the charges. “I’m going to confront these lies. They are horrible. They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys.”
According to the arrest affidavit, Busfield suggested during a November interview with investigators that the allegations may be motivated by “revenge.” He claimed the children’s mother was upset because her sons were not brought back for the show’s final season. His legal team maintains his innocence, asserting that he voluntarily traveled across the country to address the matter directly.
Investigation and Background
The investigation into Busfield began in November 2024 after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted authorities to potential abuse. The police affidavit alleges that one of the minors reported being touched inappropriately on multiple occasions and has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The involvement of federal authorities escalated the search for Busfield before he turned himself in, with the U.S. Marshals Service assisting local police in locating him.
This is not the first time Busfield has faced legal scrutiny regarding alleged misconduct. Court records indicate he was sued in the 1990s by a minor working on the film Little Big League, a case that was settled out of court. Another accusation in 2012 involving an adult woman was not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence.
Industry Impact
The charges have had immediate repercussions on Busfield’s career and public presence. NBC announced the removal of an upcoming episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that featured Busfield in a guest role. Additionally, his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has reportedly deactivated her social media accounts following the public release of the warrant.
Warner Bros. Television, which produced The Cleaning Lady, issued a statement confirming they are cooperating with law enforcement. The studio noted that they had previously conducted an internal investigation into a complaint regarding Busfield’s behavior on set but stated that the specific criminal allegations now being prosecuted were not corroborated by their internal inquiry at that time.
Busfield remains in custody as he awaits further legal proceedings. If convicted, the charges carry significant prison time under New Mexico law.
