Timothy Busfield has strongly denied any allegations of inappropriate conduct with his twin child actors, stating, “I never did that. I’ve never done anything inappropriate.”
The Emmy Award-winning actor and director, who is 69, maintained his innocence during over two hours of grand jury testimony in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Audio of his statements has been obtained.
Busfield faces four counts of sexual contact with a child under 13, involving twin brothers from the show “Cleaning Women,” which he directed and produced between 2022 and 2025.
During his testimony, he asserted, “I have never done anything inappropriate in any way, physically or sexually, with a child, a small prepubescent boy. I’m not attracted to that kind of thing.” He emphasized that his attractions have always been towards adult women.
“I have never done anything inappropriate like that,” he insisted. “Of course, I would never tolerate it in the workplace… It’s absolutely taboo and I would never do it. And I have never done it.”
Busfield’s wife expressed her distress over the allegations, stating they have severely impacted her life and career. Tearfully, she remarked, “My life ended because of false accusations for money and revenge.”
While Busfield has denied the charges, the boys’ mother alleged that he was motivated by revenge after their roles were diminished. “She wanted revenge and she got it,” he claimed. “It’s over… Thankfully, I’m already of retirement age, but it’s over.”
He did acknowledge that there was some physical contact on set, but maintained it was never inappropriate. Busfield described his relationship with the boys and their families as close, noting that the twins often referred to him as “Uncle Tim.”
“My dad said, ‘Hug Uncle Tim,’ and I was touching him. I didn’t initiate that,” he explained. He clarified, “Would I have held those boys in my arms? Of course. Yes, in pictures, when I ask them to smile and tickle me under the ribs, like a parent would do?” Then he reiterated, “Did I ever touch them inappropriately? Never with a prepubescent boy.”
Busfield stated he was never alone with the child actors and claimed there were multiple witnesses present during interactions with them.
He appeared to feel the weight of the situation during questioning, saying, “I’m nervous…this is all very real and the stakes are very high.” He further mentioned he had no recollection of the alleged incident, asserting, “I don’t remember kissing either of those boys.”
According to reports, Busfield expressed confidence he could provide evidence to back his claims, including recordings of the twins indicating there was “no inappropriate contact.” He noted he had taken a lie detector test, but was informed such results are generally not admissible in court.
He asserted that committing sexual abuse in his profession would be “career suicide.” “For me to sexually assault someone would be career suicide. I have never done anything like that to anyone,” he added.
Busfield insisted that the twins were ultimately released from “Cleaning Women” because they had outgrown their roles, which he attributed to COVID-19 and contract renegotiations. He said, “The problem with the kids is they’ve outgrown their roles, because of COVID.”
The investigation reportedly began in November 2024 after concerns arose at the University of New Mexico Hospital about potential grooming of the twins by Busfield. Staff, who assessed the boys for suspected sexual abuse, found no evidence to support these claims.
Following his arrest in January, Busfield was released without bail and formally charged the following month. He has been married to Melissa Gilbert, a former child actress, since 2013. She has stood by her husband throughout the ordeal and remains unconvinced by the accusations against him.
Busfield’s trial is set for May 10, 2027.
