On January 13, 2026, veteran actor and director Timothy Busfield voluntarily turned himself in to authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, following the issuance of an arrest warrant just days earlier. The 68-year-old Emmy Award winner, best known for his roles in iconic projects such as Thirtysomething, Field of Dreams, and The West Wing, now faces grave charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of minors. Busfield was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. He is currently being held without bail as the legal process begins.
The allegations stem from incidents purportedly occurring between November 2022 and spring 2024 on the set of the Fox crime drama series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director, actor, and executive producer. The show, which concluded its four-season run in 2025, filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to court documents, the accusations involve two young boys—twin brothers who appeared as child actors on the series—who claim Busfield inappropriately touched them on multiple occasions.
One of the boys reported that the alleged abuse began when he was just 7 years old, with Busfield touching his private areas over his clothing three or four times during one incident. The same child described another occasion, at age 8, where similar touching occurred five or six times. The boys reportedly referred to Busfield as “Uncle Tim” and described unwanted physical interactions, including tickling on the stomach and legs that made them uncomfortable. One child has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, experiencing nightmares related to the alleged events.
The investigation gained momentum in November 2024 when a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital examined one of the children and notified police of suspected sexual abuse. The parents had sought medical attention at the recommendation of a law firm, and the mother later reported the claims to Child Protective Services. Police conducted interviews with production crew members, and some witnesses noted that the on-set teacher responsible for supervising child actors occasionally lost sight of them amid the busy filming environment.
Earlier in 2025, Warner Bros. Television, the producer of The Cleaning Lady, launched an independent investigation following an anonymous complaint through the SAG-AFTRA hotline about Busfield’s behavior toward minor boys on set. That probe, conducted by an outside law firm, reportedly found no corroborating evidence to support the initial claims at that time.
Busfield has vehemently denied all allegations, calling them “horrible” and “all lies.” In a video statement released shortly before surrendering, he expressed determination to clear his name, stating he had driven approximately 2,000 miles to confront the charges head-on. His attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, emphasized that Busfield is innocent and fully committed to fighting the accusations in court. Stein described the claims as “completely false” and noted that Busfield had cooperated with investigators from the outset.
The case has drawn additional scrutiny due to Busfield’s prior history. Court records mention two previous public accusations of sexual assault against him—in 1994 and 2012—though neither resulted in charges or civil litigation. Busfield has suggested a possible motive behind the current claims, alleging during a police interview that the boys’ mother sought “revenge” after her children were not brought back for the show’s final season.
The surrender came after a brief but intense search effort. Following the warrant’s issuance on January 9, 2026, Albuquerque police announced they were collaborating with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate Busfield, who was believed to be outside New Mexico at the time. Authorities had reportedly declined requests from Busfield’s legal team to allow a voluntary surrender without the warrant. His decision to turn himself in occurred amid widespread media coverage of the ongoing manhunt.
Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert (known for her role in Little House on the Prairie), has stood by him throughout the ordeal. Through a publicist, Gilbert stated that she is honoring her husband’s attorneys’ request to refrain from public comments during the legal proceedings. She remains focused on supporting their family and will address the situation at an appropriate time.
The entertainment industry has responded swiftly to the developments. NBC pulled an upcoming episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit featuring Busfield in a guest role as a judge, a decision made in light of the serious nature of the charges. Warner Bros. Television reiterated its commitment to investigating all misconduct allegations thoroughly and cooperating with law enforcement.
If convicted on the felony charges, Busfield could face significant prison time under New Mexico statutes, which impose harsher penalties for sex crimes involving children under 13. The case highlights ongoing challenges in the film and television industry regarding child actor safety, supervision on sets, and the handling of misconduct complaints.
As proceedings move forward, Busfield’s legal team is preparing a robust defense, while the allegations continue to shock fans and colleagues who have long admired his contributions to television and film. The outcome of this high-profile case will likely have lasting implications for how such serious accusations are addressed in Hollywood.
