ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Timothy Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor, has surrendered to authorities in New Mexico to address charges related to child sex abuse. The accusations involve inappropriate contact with a minor during the production of a TV series he was directing.
The actor’s arrest follows an arrest warrant issued by Albuquerque authorities last Friday, charging him with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. According to a criminal complaint, these incidents allegedly took place on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” a series filmed in Albuquerque.
Busfield, who is the husband of actress Melissa Gilbert, has a notable career with roles in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Thirtysomething.” His performance in “Thirtysomething” earned him an Emmy in 1991 for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.
Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesperson for the Albuquerque police department, confirmed that Busfield was taken into custody on the aforementioned charges.
According to the complaint, Busfield had previously denied the allegations in interviews conducted last fall as part of the investigation.
In light of the charges, NBC has decided to postpone an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” featuring Busfield, originally scheduled for Thursday. The network confirmed this decision to The Associated Press. Busfield was set to appear as a judge on the show, which is centered around sex-related crimes.
The criminal complaint filed by an investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department says the boy reported that he was 7 years old when Busfield touched him three or four times on private areas over his clothing. Busfield allegedly touched him five or six times on another occasion when he was 8, the complaint said.
The child was reportedly afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the director and he feared he would get mad at him, the complaint said.
The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was touched by Busfield but did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble.
When he was interviewed by authorities as part of the investigation, Busfield suggested that the boys’ mother was seeking revenge for her children being replaced on the series. He also said he likely would have picked up and tickled the boys, saying the set was a playful environment.
Busfield’s attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday. A video obtained by TMZ showed Busfield in front of a window with the Albuquerque skyline in the backdrop. He said he arrived in the city after driving 2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers).
“I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies,” Busfield said.
The search for Busfield involved the U.S. Marshals Service and extended to New York before Busfield appeared in a video from Albuquerque and arrived at a metropolitan detention center, Gallegos said.
“We had the U.S. Marshals’ office looking in New York in particular, and other cities” Gallegos said.
The mother of the twins – who are identified only by their initials in court records – reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said.
Busfield’s wife, Gilbert, indicated through a publicist that she won’t speak publicly at the request of attorneys for Busfield while the legal process unfolds.
“Her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family,” publicist Ame Van Iden said in a statement. “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time.”
The investigation began in November 2024, when the investigator responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. The boys’ parents had gone there at the recommendation of a law firm, the complaint said.
According to the complaint, one of the boys has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. A social worker documented him saying he has had nightmares about Busfield touching him.
“The Cleaning Lady” aired for four seasons on Fox, ending in 2025. The show was produced by Warner Bros., which according to the complaint conducted its own investigation into the abuse allegations but was unable to corroborate them.
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