Emmy Award-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield, famed for his roles in The West Wing and Field of Dreams, is confronting serious legal troubles. Authorities in New Mexico have issued an arrest warrant for the Hollywood star on charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor.
Details of the Allegations and Police Complaint
According to a criminal complaint filed by an investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department, a child came forward with disturbing allegations. The child reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately on multiple occasions. The alleged acts are said to have taken place on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as both a director and an actor.
The complaint states the first incident allegedly occurred when the child was just 7 years old, with Busfield touching him inappropriately three or four times. A second alleged incident happened when the child was 8 years old, involving five or six instances of inappropriate touching. The child's mother reported the abuse to Child Protective Services, indicating it occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024.
Impact on the Child and the Legal Process
The complaint reveals the profound impact on the young victim, identified only by his initials. The child has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. A social worker documented that the child suffers from nightmares about Busfield touching him and wakes up scared.
The child reportedly feared speaking out because Busfield was the director, and he was afraid Busfield would get angry. The investigation began in November 2024 after an investigator responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital. The child's parents had gone there at the recommendation of a law firm.
The arrest warrant, signed by a judge, charges Busfield with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. As of late Friday, January 10, 2026, Busfield's attorney and agent had not responded to requests for comment. There was also no immediate response from the publicist for his wife, actor Melissa Gilbert.
Context and Industry Response
The Cleaning Lady, where the alleged abuse took place, aired for four seasons on Fox, concluding in 2025. The show, produced by Warner Bros., featured Elodie Yung in a lead role. According to the complaint, Warner Bros. conducted its own internal investigation into the allegations but was unable to corroborate them.
Timothy Busfield is a respected figure in the entertainment industry. He won an Emmy Award in 1991 for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his work on Thirtysomething. His arrest warrant and the serious nature of the charges have sent shockwaves through Hollywood and among his fans.
