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Actor-director Timothy Busfield surrendered to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday and was jailed on child sex abuse charges stemming from allegations involving two young boys on the set of a television series he helped direct and produce.
According to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant affidavit, the alleged incidents involve 11-year-old twin boys who told investigators that inappropriate contact occurred over a two-year period, when they were seven and eight years old, during production of the Fox crime drama The Cleaning Lady, which was filmed in Albuquerque.
Busfield, 68, was an executive producer on the show and began directing episodes toward the end of its second season in 2022. An arrest warrant was issued on Monday, and Busfield turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department the following day. He was booked into the Bernalillo County jail without bond, according to the district attorney's office.
Shortly before surrendering, Busfield released a video online in which he denied all allegations, calling them "lies" and insisting he would be exonerated. "I did not do anything to those little boys," he said in the brief clip.
Busfield faces one count of child abuse and two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. The affidavit states that one of the boys described multiple instances in which
Busfield allegedly touched his private areas over clothing during breaks in filming. The second boy also reported being touched, though his account was less specific.
During a November interview with investigators, Busfield acknowledged that he may have had physical contact with the children, such as tickling or picking them up, but said it was playful behavior that occurred in front of others. He also suggested the accusations may have been motivated by retaliation, alleging the boys' mother was angry after her sons were replaced in the show's final season.
Busfield is best known for his roles on NBC's The West Wing and the ABC series Thirtysomething. He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, former president of the Screen Actors Guild.
Prosecutors said additional court proceedings are expected in coming weeks, while Busfield remains in custody as the legal process unfolds and allegations are reviewed by the judicial system.
