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By Dan Gooding, Gabe Whisnant, and Joshua Rhett Miller
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Timothy Busfield has surrendered to authorities in New Mexico, days after a warrant was issued for his arrest on child sexual abuse charges.
New Mexico authorities issued an arrest warrant for the 68-year-old on Friday, after a mother reported that the Emmy award-winning actor and director had touched her children, according to court records seen by Newsweek.
Busfield has denied the allegations in comments to TMZ, saying he intends to “confront these lies.” The investigation began in late 2024 after a hospital doctor alerted police, and authorities later detailed additional claims in an arrest warrant.
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Newsweek reached out to Busfield's attorneys via email on Tuesday afternoon for comment.
U.S. Marshals were assisting the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) in the search, Albuquerque news station KOAT reported on Monday night.
Booking records seen by Newsweek showed Busfield being held on three charges: two of criminal sexual contact with a minor under 13 in the third degree, and one of child abuse.
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Timothy Busfield Accused of Sexual Abuse on 'The Cleaning Lady' Set: What We Know
The APD has sought Busfield’s arrest on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, according to a criminal complaint–arrest warrant affidavit filed in Bernalillo County and seen by Newsweek.
In November 2024, a mother and father said their children, both 11-year-old child actors, had been abused while on the set of the Fox TV show The Cleaning Lady, which was directed by Busfield at one point, according to the APD’s criminal complaint.
The complaint stated that the alleged abuse began when the two victims were age 7, on the set of the show. One victim, identified as SL in the complaint, said that Busfield would come into a bedroom set between takes and touch them all over, including his "private areas."
This happened on multiple occasions over two years, the complaint said.
A law firm advised the parents to take their children to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where staff "advised that it appears the children were groomed," the complaint says.
At that point, the case did not meet authorities' acceptance criteria, but in October 2025, the victims’ mother reported to Child Protective Services that "her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024."
Therapist records reviewed in the investigation showed that both children made allegations of "touching."
When Busfield was questioned by the investigator, he said the children's parents had a "problem" with one of the children being replaced with a younger actor at one point, and that Warner Bros. Television had told him in the spring of 2025 that it was carrying out an investigation and that there had been complaints about him from the boys.
Busfield said it was "highly likely" he would have had physical contact with the boys, including picking them up and tickling them, in what he called a "playful environment."
Busfield has been accused of sexual abuse before in 1994 and 2012, but no charges were filed in either case, the complaint says.
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Who Is Timothy Busfield’s Wife, Melissa Gilbert?
Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie, is married to Timothy Busfield. The two married in 2013 and have frequently collaborated on creative projects, including theater work. Gilbert is also a former president of the Screen Actors Guild and continues to act in film, television, and stage productions. She has two children from previous marriages.
List of Movies, TV Shows Tied to Timothy Busfield
Timothy Busfield has had an extensive career across film and television, with standout roles on Thirtysomething, The West Wing, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. His directing credits span major network shows, including episodes of This Is Us, Law & Order: SVU, The Cleaning Lady, and The Fosters.
Busfield has also appeared in films such as Field of Dreams and Sneakers and has long worked as both an actor and director across genres. His television work has earned him an Emmy Award and made him a prominent figure in prestige network drama.
What Is ‘The Cleaning Lady’ About?
The Cleaning Lady is a crime drama that follows a Cambodian doctor who becomes an undocumented worker in Las Vegas and is drawn into helping a criminal organization after witnessing a murder.
The series explores themes of survival, immigration, and moral compromise as the protagonist navigates threats to her family while operating within the criminal underworld.
Developed for Fox and produced with Warner Bros., the show ran from 2022 to 2025 and developed a strong fan base for its blend of emotional storytelling and suspense. Busfield served as both director and executive producer during its run.
What People Are Saying
Albuquerque Police Department officer Marvin Kirk Brown, in his sworn affidavit: "In my training and experience, pedophiles often infiltrate families under a trusted role, like Timothy, who, as a producer, exploited the hectic film sets..."
Timothy Busfield, in a video recorded at his attorney's office, shared with TMZ: "I'm [going to] confront these lies. They're horrible. They're all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys, and I'm [going to] fight it...So, hang in there, and hopefully I'm out real soon."
What Happens Next
Busfield is being held without bail. A court date was not immediately available.
Update 1/13/26, 6:07 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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