US law enforcement, including the specialised US Marshals service, is actively searching for actor and director Timothy Busfield, who is wanted on serious child sexual abuse allegations. The Emmy-winning performer remains at large days after authorities in New Mexico secured an arrest warrant.
The Allegations and Police Investigation
According to a sworn police affidavit, Albuquerque police obtained the warrant for Busfield's arrest last Friday. He faces three criminal counts: two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.
The allegations stem from two 11-year-old twin brothers, identified by the initials SL and VL, whom Busfield met on the set of the Fox television series The Cleaning Lady. The actor both directed and appeared in the show. The police document states the boys allege Busfield touched them inappropriately.
One of the twins, SL, reportedly told investigators that Busfield masked the inappropriate touching "as play" on multiple occasions. The 12-page affidavit notes that SL was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered from nightmares about "the director touching him".
Police began their investigation in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico hospital contacted them. The children's mother had reported to child protective services that the alleged abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024.
Busfield's Response and Past Accusations
The affidavit reveals that Busfield gave a statement to Albuquerque police regarding the allegations. He allegedly claimed that Elodie Yung, the lead actor in The Cleaning Lady, told him the twins' mother sought "revenge" for her children being brought back to the show.
While Busfield allegedly denied remembering "overtly tickling the boys ever," he also stated "it wouldn't be uncommon" given the playful environment on set.
The arrest warrant also highlights that this is not the first time Busfield has faced sexual assault allegations. In 1994, a 17-year-old extra on the film Little Big League accused him of serving her alcohol while underage and assaulting her. Busfield countersued for extortion; the case was settled privately.
Separately, in 2012, a 28-year-old woman alleged Busfield fondled her in a Los Angeles cinema. Prosecutors declined to pursue that case after Busfield claimed the encounter was consensual.
Fallout and Current Status
The search for Timothy Busfield is now a fugitive operation, with the US Marshals Service assisting Albuquerque police. No timeline for his capture has been provided.
The fallout from the allegations is already being felt in the entertainment industry. NBC has shelved a scheduled episode of Law & Order: SVU that was set to air and feature Busfield in a guest role as a judge.
Warner Bros, which produced The Cleaning Lady, conducted its own investigation but could not corroborate the claims. The show ended its four-season run on Fox in 2025.
Busfield, married to actor Melissa Gilbert, is best known for his roles in The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1991. Gilbert was reportedly present on speakerphone during his police statement and has since deactivated her Instagram account.
