Timothy Busfield Charged with Child Sexual Contact in New Mexico

A New Mexico grand jury has indicted actor Timothy Busfield on four counts of child sexual contact, as confirmed by the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office. The charges are expected to move to trial under the Special Victims Unit of the District Attorney’s office.

Details of the Allegations Against Busfield

The legal troubles for Busfield began in January when an arrest warrant was issued following a criminal complaint. According to the complaint, a child reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately multiple times while on the set of the television series “The Cleaning Lady.” At the time, the boy was between 7 and 8 years old. The alleged incidents occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024.

• The boy expressed fear of reporting the incidents due to concern that Busfield would react negatively.
• The complaint also stated that the boy’s twin brother claimed he was similarly touched, although he did not provide specific details.

Busfield has claimed that these accusations stem from personal grievances. He indicated that the boys’ mother may be seeking revenge because her children were replaced on “The Cleaning Lady.” He described the set environment as playful and stated he likely engaged in light-hearted interactions like tickling.

Busfield’s Response to the Indictment

In a statement released to CBS News, Busfield’s attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, asserted that the indictment did not come as a surprise. Stein criticized the District Attorney’s decision to proceed, labeling the case as “fundamentally unsound.” He suggested that significant flaws in the state’s evidence would be evident at trial.

Busfield turned himself in to police on January 13 and was booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County. He was initially held without bond but was later released pending trial.

Additional Allegations and Investigations

On the same day of his arrest, another allegation surfaced. The father of a 16-year-old girl accused Busfield of inappropriate behavior while she auditioned for a role at a theater he co-founded. The girl’s father claimed Busfield kissed and touched her inappropriately. Reportedly, Busfield asked the family not to report the incident in exchange for therapy.

Warner Bros., the producer of “The Cleaning Lady,” conducted an investigation but could not substantiate the abuse allegations. The district attorney’s office has not released further details regarding the charges against Busfield.

Timothy Busfield’s Career Highlights

Busfield is best known for his roles in notable television productions, including:

• “The West Wing”
• “Field of Dreams”
• “Thirtysomething”

He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1991 for his performance in “Thirtysomething.” He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, who has not commented publicly on the situation at the request of Busfield’s legal team.