ALBUQUERQUE, NM – An arrest warrant has been issued for Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield on charges of child sexual abuse stemming from alleged incidents on the set of a television series he directed.
Busfield, 67, best known for his roles in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Thirtysomething,” faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. The charges relate to alleged abuse that occurred while he was directing and acting in the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady.”
According to a criminal complaint filed by Albuquerque police, a child reported that Busfield “touched him inappropriately” during production. The alleged incidents spanned from November 2022 through spring 2024, when the victim was between 7 and 8 years old.
The complaint states the child disclosed three to four incidents at age 7 and five to six additional incidents at age 8. The young victim reportedly feared coming forward because Busfield held a position of authority as director on the set.
A social worker who interviewed the child documented that he has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The boy reportedly experiences nightmares and wakes up frightened, according to court documents.
The investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted authorities following a medical evaluation. The child’s parents had sought the evaluation on a law firm’s recommendation.
Warner Bros., which produced “The Cleaning Lady,” conducted its own internal investigation but was unable to corroborate the allegations, according to statements from the production company.
Busfield won an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series in 1991 for his work on “Thirtysomething.” He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert of “Little House on the Prairie” fame.
A judge has signed the arrest warrant, though Busfield had not been taken into custody as of press time.
