Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield surrendered to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday to address child sex abuse accusations. The charges, including two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse, were linked to incidents on the set of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady,” which was filmed in Albuquerque.
Busfield, known for his roles in “The West Wing” and “Field of Dreams,” among others, is married to actor Melissa Gilbert. The arrest followed a warrant issued by Albuquerque officials on Jan. 9. Albuquerque police spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos confirmed that Busfield was being processed on the charges.
Last fall, Busfield refuted the allegations during questioning by investigators. NBC opted to pull an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” featuring Busfield as a judge, which was scheduled to air on Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, a boy claimed Busfield touched him inappropriately multiple times when he was seven and eight years old. The child, hesitant to speak out due to Busfield’s role as director, detailed the incidents. The boy’s twin brother also reported being touched but did not disclose specifics for fear of repercussions.
During interviews with authorities, Busfield insinuated that the boys’ mother sought revenge due to her children being replaced on the series. He described the set as a playful environment and denied the allegations as falsehoods.
The investigation, prompted by a doctor’s report at the University of New Mexico Hospital in November 2024, revealed details of the alleged abuse. One of the boys was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, expressing fears and nightmares related to Busfield’s actions.
“The Cleaning Lady” aired for four seasons on Fox, concluding in 2025. Warner Bros., the show’s producer, conducted an internal inquiry into the allegations but could not substantiate them. Busfield’s lawyer did not respond to immediate requests for comment. In a video shared by TMZ, Busfield proclaimed his intent to challenge the accusations.