Emmy-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield is facing a serious criminal charge following allegations of child sexual abuse on a television set in the United States.
Arrest Warrant Issued in New Mexico
Authorities in New Mexico have issued an arrest warrant for the veteran performer. The warrant, signed by a judge, charges Busfield with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. An investigator from the Albuquerque Police Department filed a criminal complaint supporting the charge, which stems from allegations made by a young boy.
The complaint states the child reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place on the set of the Fox television series 'The Cleaning Lady', where Busfield worked as both a director and an actor.
Details of the Allegations
According to the legal documents, the child, identified only by his initials, stated the first incident occurred when he was seven years old. He alleged Busfield touched him inappropriately three or four times on that occasion. The boy claims a second incident happened when he was eight, during which he was touched five or six times.
The child's mother reported to New Mexico's Child Protective Services (CPS) that the abuse took place between November 2022 and the spring of 2024.
The complaint reveals the young boy has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety following the alleged events. A social worker documented that the child suffered nightmares about Busfield touching him and would wake up scared. He reportedly feared telling anyone because Busfield was the director and he worried about making him angry.
Investigation and Fallout
The police investigation began in November 2024 after an investigator responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico hospital. The child's parents had gone to the hospital at the recommendation of a law firm.
'The Cleaning Lady', which starred Elodie Yung, aired for four seasons on Fox, concluding in 2025. The show was produced by Warner Bros. The complaint notes that the studio conducted its own internal investigation into the abuse allegations but was unable to corroborate them.
Busfield, known for his roles in 'The West Wing', 'Field of Dreams', and 'Thirtysomething'—for which he won an Emmy in 1991—has not yet publicly commented. His attorney and agent did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Busfield is married to actor Melissa Gilbert. There was no immediate response from her publicist, and as of a recent Sunday, Gilbert's Instagram account appeared to have been deleted.
