Actor Timothy Busfield Faces Charges of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor and Child Abuse on Set of The Cleaning Lady
Actor and director Timothy Busfield, known for his role in The West Wing, is facing charges related to criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse in New Mexico. The allegations stem from incidents on the set of The Cleaning Lady, a TV series he directed and acted in. Busfield is accused of inappropriate touching of a child actor, leading to two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
The arrest warrant issued by the Albuquerque Police Department outlines the charges against Busfield, but it is unclear if he is currently in custody. The actor denied the allegations during interviews with investigators. The investigation began in November 2024 after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported suspected sexual abuse of the child actor.
Court documents reveal that the parents of the boy reported the alleged abuse that started when the child was 7 years old in 2022. The victim's mother later informed child protective services about the abuse that allegedly occurred until Spring 2024. Warner Bros., the production company behind The Cleaning Lady, conducted an independent investigation into the claims but could not find evidence to support them at the time.
In response to the charges, Warner Bros. Television stated that they take all allegations of misconduct seriously and have systems in place to investigate and take appropriate action. The company expressed cooperation with law enforcement in the ongoing case. Busfield, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, has not had court records detailing his initial appearance or bond conditions available at this time.
The case involving Timothy Busfield remains under investigation by authorities. It is essential to address such serious allegations with thorough investigation and appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.