Timothy Busfield, the Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his roles in "Thirtysomething" and "The West Wing," turned himself in to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to face child sex abuse charges. The Albuquerque Police Department confirmed that Busfield, 68, surrendered at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County after a warrant was issued for his arrest on January 9. The charges against him include two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.
The allegations stem from incidents that allegedly occurred on the set of the Fox drama "The Cleaning Lady," where Busfield worked as a director and actor. The criminal complaint alleges that Busfield inappropriately touched two 11-year-old twin brothers between November 2022 and Spring 2024. The children are identified only by their initials in court records.
According to the complaint filed by an investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department, one of the boys reported that Busfield touched his private areas multiple times, beginning when he was seven years old. The child stated he was afraid to report the incidents because Busfield was the director, and he feared reprisal. The boy's twin brother also reported being touched by Busfield but did not specify the location. The affidavit also noted that the first child was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and experienced nightmares related to the alleged abuse.
Busfield has denied the allegations, calling them "horrible lies" in a video statement to TMZ. "I did not do anything to those little boys, and I'm going to fight it," he stated. His attorney, Stanton "Larry" Stein, also asserted his client's innocence and determination to clear his name.
In light of the charges, NBC has shelved an episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" featuring Busfield, which was scheduled to air on Thursday.
According to court documents, an anonymous complaint was made through the SAG-AFTRA hotline in February 2025 accusing Busfield of kissing “a minor male on his face” in December 2024 while the child was in the hair and makeup trailer. The complaint further alleged pictures of Busfield "tickling and caressing the head and body of minor boys".
Warner Bros. Television, the production company behind "The Cleaning Lady," reportedly conducted its own investigation into the allegations in the spring of 2025 but was unable to corroborate them. The studio stated that it prioritizes the health and safety of its cast and crew and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in its investigation.
The Bernalillo District Attorney has filed official child sex abuse charges against Timothy Busfield and intends to file a motion to keep him in custody while he awaits trial.
