Accusations Against Timothy Busfield
New Mexico officials have charged Timothy Busfield, the Emmy-winning actor known for his roles in “The West Wing” and “Thirtysomething,” with child sex abuse.
Arrest Warrant Issued
A judge issued an arrest warrant for the 68-year-old Busfield on two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. The affidavit indicates that Busfield allegedly inappropriately touched two young brothers who were actors during his work on the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady.”
Production Companies Respond
In a statement, Fox and Warner Bros. Television emphasized that the health and safety of cast and crew, particularly minors, is their top concern. They stated, “We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and are cooperating fully with law enforcement.” Busfield has yet to be taken into police custody as of Monday morning.
Impact on Melissa Gilbert
In light of the accusations, Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has reportedly ceased her social media activities. Her official Instagram account currently displays an error message indicating that the profile is unavailable.
Details of Allegations
The allegations assert that Busfield assaulted one of the child actors multiple times. A child reported that initial inappropriate contact occurred when he was 7, with further incidents at age 8. The second child actor also described Busfield’s inappropriate behavior, and both claimed they didn’t speak out due to fear.
Investigation and Findings
Reports indicate that the alleged abuse was first reported to Child Protective Services in October 2025. The investigation, prompted by a doctor’s referral, included interviews with therapists and other crew members. Busfield acknowledged some contact but later claimed not to remember specific interactions with the boys.
Previous Allegations
This is not Busfield’s first encounter with such allegations. In 1994, he faced accusations from a 17-year-old actor from “Little Big League,” which he denied. That case ultimately resulted in a settlement requiring Busfield to pay $150,000.
