The father of an alleged victim in Timothy Busfield’s expanding legal troubles has come forward with a poignant and anguished statement, marking a significant escalation in the case against the Emmy-winning actor. Identified in reports as Colin Swift, the man spoke exclusively to media outlets including KCRA 3 and Inside Edition about an incident allegedly occurring around 2001 at Sacramento’s B Street Theatre, which Busfield co-founded with his brother Buck. Swift described how his then-16-year-old daughter auditioned for a role under Busfield’s direction, only to endure what prosecutors later detailed as Busfield kissing her and touching her intimate areas by putting his hands down her pants.
Swift, a licensed therapist, explained his decision at the time to handle the matter privately rather than report it immediately to law enforcement. According to court documents filed in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Busfield “begged the family to not report to law enforcement if he received therapy,” a proposal the father accepted, believing therapy could address the issue effectively. “It’s very hard because I feel really guilty about this,” Swift told KCRA 3 in an emotional interview aired January 14, 2026. “As a therapist, I think I did the right thing, as a father, I did not.” He expressed profound regret for not pursuing formal charges earlier, a sentiment amplified by the emergence of current allegations involving twin boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady.
This revelation surfaced in a pretrial detention motion prosecutors submitted on January 14, arguing Busfield posed a “serious danger to children” and exhibited a “documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming behavior.” The motion prompted Judge to order Busfield held without bond following his January 13 surrender in Albuquerque. Busfield, 68, faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse stemming from claims by twin brothers (referred to as SL and VL) who allege inappropriate touching over clothing—described by one as groping their “poop and pee area”—while Busfield directed episodes of the Fox series filmed in New Mexico between 2022 and 2025.
Swift’s account adds historical context to the prosecution’s narrative. The alleged 2001 incident involved no criminal charges at the time; instead, a settlement reportedly included $150,000 in hush money and therapy provisions, with Busfield later countersuing the family’s legal representation for defamation—a claim dismissed, resulting in Busfield paying $150,000 to the firm in 1996. B Street Theatre issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the report from approximately 25 years ago, noting an internal investigation by legal counsel at the time cleared Busfield of wrongdoing, leading to his withdrawal from involvement post-2001. Tax documents, however, show Busfield listed in organizational filings for eight years afterward, raising questions about the extent of his disengagement.
Busfield maintains his innocence across all accusations. In a pre-surrender video released via TMZ, he declared the twin boys’ claims “horrible lies” and vowed to fight for exoneration with a strong legal team. His attorneys, including Larry Stein, emphasize that an independent Warner Bros.-commissioned investigation found no corroborating evidence of misconduct, no instances of Busfield being alone with the children, and multiple witness statements supporting a playful but professional set environment. Busfield passed a voluntary polygraph examination denying the allegations, and his team has highlighted alleged financial motives from the boys’ parents, including a history of fraud claims against the father and dissatisfaction over the twins’ recasting for the show’s final season.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny amid Hollywood’s ongoing reckoning with accountability. Additional shadows include a 1996 settled claim and a 2012 battery/sexual assault allegation in Los Angeles that lacked sufficient evidence for charges. Busfield’s defense filings list extensive character references, including from wife Melissa Gilbert, who praised him as a “wonderful human” in a supporting letter, alongside castmates from Thirtysomething and others. Gilbert, through representative Ame Van Iden, reiterated her support while honoring lawyers’ requests for silence during proceedings, focusing on their blended family’s well-being.
Public reaction remains polarized. Supporters point to cleared investigations and polygraph results as proof of falsehoods, while critics see recurring patterns in delayed reports and private resolutions. Swift’s interview humanizes the long-term impact on families, underscoring regret over past choices amid renewed allegations. As Busfield awaits a January 20 detention hearing—potentially deciding bail—the case continues unfolding with evidence reviews, witness testimonies, and possible additional developments.
For Swift, speaking now represents a step toward closure. His words carry the weight of a father grappling with hindsight: professional judgment clashing with paternal instinct. Whether this contributes to conviction or fuels defense arguments of vendetta remains uncertain. Busfield’s career—from Field of Dreams to The West Wing—now hangs in the balance against serious felony charges that could mean years in prison if proven. The saga underscores broader issues of power dynamics in entertainment, delayed justice, and the courage required for survivors and families to come forward decades later.
As investigations deepen and court dates approach, the truth-seeking process will test evidence against denials. Swift’s candid regret adds emotional depth to a story already fraught with pain, reminding observers that behind legal filings lie real human suffering on all sides.
