By Rosemary
Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Wednesday, following his voluntary surrender to authorities in Albuquerque on charges of child sex abuse. The allegations stem from claims that Busfield inappropriately touched a minor on the set of the television series he was directing in New Mexico.
Albuquerque police had issued a warrant for Busfield’s arrest last week, charging him with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. According to the criminal complaint, the alleged incidents took place on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” which filmed in Albuquerque over the past several years.
Busfield, 63, who is married to actor Melissa Gilbert and is known for roles in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Thirtysomething,” has publicly denied the allegations. Prior to turning himself in, he posted a video in which he called the accusations lies and vowed to fight the charges in court.
Prosecutors are seeking to keep Busfield in custody pending trial, citing what they describe as a long-standing pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and grooming behavior spanning two decades. In a motion filed early Wednesday, they argued that witnesses fear retaliation and potential professional consequences, and that his position of influence on set could allow him to evade accountability.
“In light of the defendant’s demonstrated disregard for boundaries, authority, and compliance, no condition or combination of conditions of release can reasonably protect the victims or the community,” the filing states. A judge will ultimately decide whether Busfield should be detained, with a detention hearing yet to be scheduled.
Prosecutors also criticized Busfield for releasing a video to the media outlet TMZ on Tuesday, suggesting he prioritized controlling his personal narrative over adhering to court procedures.
The criminal complaint details that one of the alleged victims, a child, reported being touched by Busfield at ages 7 and 8 over private areas on his clothing. The child reportedly did not tell anyone at the time out of fear that Busfield, as the series director, would become angry. The boy’s twin brother also alleged inappropriate touching but did not specify details, and similarly did not report the incidents out of fear of punishment.
The twins’ mother reported the alleged abuse to Child Protective Services, stating that it occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024. The investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted authorities following the family’s visit.
In interviews with police, Busfield denied the allegations, claiming that the boys’ mother sought revenge because her children had been replaced on the series. His attorney echoed that argument on Tuesday, while also noting that an independent investigation conducted by Warner Bros. did not corroborate the claims. Prosecutors, however, contend that the investigation failed to speak with key witnesses who could shed light on the allegations.
The case has drawn national attention, in part due to Busfield’s high-profile career and the serious nature of the accusations. Investigators continue to gather evidence, and the community awaits further developments as the legal process unfolds.
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