Actor Timothy Busfield surrenders to authorities amid child abuse charges

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News on Jan 13, 2026

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Actor Timothy Busfield has surrendered to law enforcement officers in New Mexico, days after they issued a warrant for his arrest on child abuse charges, according to a report.

Busfield is accused of acting inappropriately with two child stars on the set of the Fox/Warner Bros TV drama series “The Cleaning Lady,” on which he served as as director and executive producer. The television program ran from January 2022 until June 2025.

Speaking with TMZ, Busfield maintained his innocence and vowed he would “confront these lies.”

“I did not do anything to those little boys,” he added.

Authorities initially launched an investigation into the matter in late 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police to the alleged sexual abuse. The young actors, who are brothers, were taken to the medical facility after their father heard “there had been multiple rumors that Timothy had been ‘handsy’ with women.”

According to the arrest warrant obtained by KOAT, the 68-year-old actor allegedly instructed the children — now 11 and identified by their initials VL and SL — to call him “Uncle Tim.” They also told investigators Busfield “would tickle them on the stomach and legs,” but neither reported anything of a sexual nature. The boys’ mother later told authorities one of her sons told his counselor Busfield touched him inappropriately.

Speaking with investigators last year, Busfield said he did not remember touching the children inappropriately. He also claimed the children’s mother could be seeking revenge because they decided against bringing the boys back for another season.

NBC has since pulled an episode of “Law & Order SVU” featuring Busfield. Titled “Corrosive,” it was supposed to air Thursday, Variety reported. Instead, the next episode, which was initially scheduled for Jan. 22, will take its place.

Busfield, best known for roles in “The West Wing” and “Thirtysomething,” previously guest starred on the hit crime show in 2011 and directed two episodes in 2019. He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, who has two children from previous marriages.

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