Timothy Busfield Turns Himself In on Child Molestation Charges
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Emmy Award-winning director and actor Timothy Busfield surrendered to authorities on child molestation charges in New Mexico on Tuesday.
City officials announced that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. He faces charges from last Friday that include two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. These allegations are tied to claims that Busfield improperly touched a young boy while directing the television series “Cleaning Women.”
Busfield, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, is well-known for his performances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Thirtysomething,” for which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1991.
According to police, he is currently being booked on these charges. Details from a criminal complaint indicate that the alleged incident involved the boy, who was seven at the time, being touched inappropriately on several occasions. The complaint also mentions an incident involving the boy’s twin brother, who echoed similar experiences but hesitated to speak out for fear of repercussions.
When questioned about the claims during last fall’s investigation, Busfield reportedly denied wrongdoing, suggesting that the mother of the children might be acting out of revenge for their roles being recast. He described the set as a playful environment and stated he would often engage with the boys in a lighthearted manner.
As of now, Busfield’s attorney has not offered any comments. Footage shared by TMZ shows him in front of Albuquerque’s skyline, stating that he traveled 2,000 miles to be present for the situation. “I’m going to stand up to these lies. They’re terrible. They’re all lies,” he asserted.
The twins’ mother, whose initials are noted in court records, brought the alleged abuse to the attention of Child Protective Services between late 2022 and early 2024. The investigation kickstarted in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted authorities. It appears the boys’ parents sought assistance there based on a law firm’s recommendation.
Additionally, one of the twins has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, with reports indicating disturbing dreams related to the alleged events.
“The Cleaning Lady,” which aired on FOX for four seasons, concluded in 2025. Warner Bros., the show’s producer, conducted its own inquiry into the allegations but reportedly could not confirm them.
