Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield surrendered himself to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday to address child sex abuse accusations. The allegations claim that he inappropriately touched a minor while directing a TV series on set. Authorities in Albuquerque issued an arrest warrant on Jan. 9 for Busfield on charges of criminal sexual contact with a minor and child abuse. The incidents reportedly occurred during the filming of the show “The Cleaning Lady” in Albuquerque.
Busfield, known for his roles in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Thirtysomething,” where he won an Emmy in 1991, was taken into custody by Albuquerque police. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, is married to him. According to Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesperson for the city police department, Busfield denied the accusations during questioning by investigators last fall.
NBC decided to postpone an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” featuring Busfield as a guest star due to the allegations. The criminal complaint detailed that a child reported Busfield touching him multiple times when he was seven and eight years old. The child was reportedly hesitant to speak out as Busfield held a position of authority on set.
The boy’s twin brother also claimed that Busfield had touched him, although the details were vague. The boys’ mother alleged that the abuse took place between November 2022 and spring 2024. The investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted authorities.
During his interview with authorities, Busfield suggested that the boys’ mother sought revenge due to her children being replaced on the show. Despite the allegations, Busfield maintained his innocence, stating that he would address the lies directly. The show “The Cleaning Lady” ran for four seasons on Fox, concluding in 2025. Warner Bros., the show’s production company, conducted its own investigation but could not substantiate the abuse claims.