Timothy Busfield, renowned for his Emmy-winning performances, has turned himself in to authorities in New Mexico following the issuance of an arrest warrant on charges of child abuse. The 68-year-old actor now faces serious accusations, but he firmly denies any wrongdoing.
In a video statement released to TMZ, Busfield expressed his intention to contest the allegations. “I will confront these lies,” he declared, emphasizing his innocence regarding the charges of child abuse and criminal sexual contact with a minor. “I did not do anything to those little boys,” he insisted.
Reflecting on the swift turn of events, Busfield recounted the moments leading up to his surrender. “I was ordered to come to Albuquerque, and well, I’m here now,” he shared in a video recorded four days after the warrant was issued. He described the urgency of the situation: “I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer, and on Saturday I got a car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque.”
The allegations stem from an incident in 2022 on the set of the TV show “The Cleaning Lady,” which Busfield was directing. He stands accused of inappropriate conduct involving two young boys, claims he has vehemently labeled as “horrible lies.” Determined to clear his name, Busfield is preparing to face the charges head-on.
‘I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer, and on Saturday I got a car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque.’
Busfield described allegations that he inappropriately touched two young boys in 2022 on the set of the TV show ‘The Cleaning Lady’, which he was directing, as ‘horrible lies’, and vowed to fight the charges.
‘They’re all lies, and I did not do anything,’ he said. ‘I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I know I’m going to be exonerated. I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies.’
According to a warrant for his arrest, an investigation into Busfield was opened in November 2024 when staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital called police and reported children potentially being groomed on the studio set.
Actor Timothy Busfield (seen with his wife, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert) has surrendered to law enforcement in New Mexico after an arrest warrant was issued on child sex abuse charges last week
Busfield pictured starring as character Danny Concannon on hit TV show The West Wing
When Busfield was interviewed by police about the allegations on November 3, 2025, his arrest warrant said that his wife, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, listened to the phone call over speakerphone.
Busfield reportedly told investigators that the allegations against him were a revenge plot by the parents of twin 11-year-old boy actors because he didn’t invite them back to the show.
Busfield allegedly told the children ‘to call him Uncle Tim’, and the criminal complaint said he ‘would tickle them on the stomach and legs, despite them not liking the tickling.’
The children did not allege sexual touching at the time, but in October 2025 one of the parents reported to Child Protective Services that her child disclosed alleged sexual abuse by Busfield, the warrant said.
The child told a therapist that Busfield touched his ‘genitalia’ and ‘bottom’ while in a bedroom on the set of the TV show, according to the affidavit first reported by KTLA.
According to the affidavit, Busfield told an officer that he had ‘playful’ contact with the children on his set, but denied any wrongdoing. Busfield was said to have ‘grown close to the boys’ while they were on the set of his TV show, per a criminal complaint filed last week in New Mexico.
The arrest warrant claimed that Busfield and Gilbert had a ‘relationship’ with the alleged victims and their families outside of work.
‘They advised that they did buy the two boys Christmas gifts and were together [at] several social functions,’ read the warrant written by Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown.
Brown stated Busfield ‘would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness.’
Busfield has been married to Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert since 2013
According to a complaint filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, the alleged abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024.
At least one of the children in the case was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder following the alleged abuse, according to the complaint.
The actor has been married to Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert since 2013.
Gilbert shot to fame as a child in the 1960s, and went on to become one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood, including serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005.
Following a stint on Dancing with the Stars in 2012, Gilbert ran for Congress in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District three years later, but after becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee she dropped out of the race, citing health issues.
The pair celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary in April 2025, and Gilbert said in a social media post at the time that their marriage was ‘perfect.’
’12 years of true partnership, love, laughter, compassion, commitment, passion, laughter, cooking, kids, grandchildren, chickens, dogs, creating homes, films, plays, television. 12 years of writing together, traveling, cuddling, delicious meals, romantic getaways, spooning, reflecting, meditating, praying,’ she wrote.
Gilbert last shared a picture with Busfield to her social media in December 2025. She later deleted her Instagram account following Busfield’s arrest warrant.
