Emmy-Winning Actor Timothy Busfield Faces Arrest Warrant for Alleged Child Sex Abuse in New Mexico
‘West Wing’ and ‘Field of Dreams’ star charged with criminal sexual contact of minors on ‘The Cleaning Lady’ set; police actively searching for 68-year-old director
Updated: January 10, 2026 | Albuquerque, New Mexico
Breaking: Police Actively Searching for Actor After Warrant Issued
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Authorities in New Mexico issued an arrest warrant Friday for Emmy Award-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield on serious charges involving alleged sexual abuse of child actors on the set of the Fox television series “The Cleaning Lady,” and Albuquerque police confirm they are actively searching for the 68-year-old Hollywood veteran.
Busfield, best known for his roles in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and “thirtysomething,” faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, according to court documents filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court on January 9, 2026.
Albuquerque Police Department told TMZ on Friday that they are actively looking for Busfield and hope he surrenders to authorities. As of Friday evening, court records do not show that Busfield has been arrested and booked.
“We started investigating Busfield in November 2024 for alleged sexual abuse,” Albuquerque police confirmed. “An arrest warrant was issued today, and we are actively looking for Busfield, who we hope surrenders.”
The Allegations: Twin Brothers Detail Years of Alleged Abuse
“You Mean Like Uncle Tim?”
The investigation centers on allegations from twin brothers, identified only by their initials “SL” and “VL” in court documents, who were child actors on “The Cleaning Lady” when Busfield served as a director on the Albuquerque-filmed series between 2022 and 2024.
According to the 12-page criminal complaint, when the boys’ parents first asked their sons—who were 11 years old at the time—”if anyone had ever touched them in a manner that made them uncomfortable,” the children responded by asking: “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
Busfield had reportedly instructed the children to call him by that nickname, according to court documents.
Detailed Accounts of Alleged Abuse
In Halloween 2025 interviews with a forensic child interviewer, observed by Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown, one of the boys described multiple incidents of alleged inappropriate touching:
First Incident (Age 7, 2022):
- Occurred on “The Cleaning Lady” set after a scene had ended
- The child said Busfield touched him “three to four times” on his “‘poop’ and ‘pee’ area over his clothing”
- The abuse allegedly happened between takes
Second Incident (Age 8, 2023):
- Busfield allegedly touched the child inappropriately “five or six times”
- Similar pattern of alleged abuse occurring between takes on set
The second brother also told investigators that Busfield touched him inappropriately, though he did not specify that it was in the same areas, according to court documents.
Child’s Fear of Coming Forward
The first child told investigators he was “very afraid of Tim and was relieved when he was off set,” according to the police affidavit. The boy said he was afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the director and he feared Busfield “would get mad at him.”
According to the criminal complaint, the child has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. A social worker documented him saying “he has had nightmares about Busfield touching him and woken up scared.”
Investigation Timeline: How the Case Developed
November 2024: Hospital Report Sparks Investigation
The investigation began in November 2024, when Albuquerque Police Detective Michael Brown with the Crimes Against Children Unit responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital.
The children’s parents had sought medical evaluation at the recommendation of a law firm. Hospital staff told police “it appeared the children were groomed,” according to court documents.
Initial Response: Case Not Pursued
When an officer first spoke with the parents and boys at the hospital in 2024, the children did not disclose any sexual contact to the officer. They stated that “Uncle Tim” would tickle them on the stomach and legs, despite not caring for the tickling.
At that time, “Officer Osborn contacted Detective Michael Brown with the Crimes Against Children Unit and determined that the case did not meet their acceptance criteria at this time,” the affidavit states.
The police declined to pursue charges at that point.
September 2025: Disclosure to Therapist Changes Everything
In September 2025, one of the children reported to his counselor—and later to his pediatrician—that Busfield had “touched him on his penis and bottom,” according to the criminal complaint.
This disclosure prompted detectives to reopen the investigation and conduct forensic interviews with both children on Halloween 2025.
October-November 2025: Investigation Intensifies
Between October and November 2025, investigators:
- Conducted forensic interviews with both alleged victims
- Interviewed the boys’ parents
- Spoke with “Cleaning Lady” production assistants
- Interviewed Make-up and Hair department staffers
- Reached out to other child actors on the show to ensure their safety
- Attempted to interview series star Élodie Yung (who declined)
- Conducted a phone interview with Busfield himself on November 3, 2025
January 9, 2026: Warrant Issued
After completing their investigation, Albuquerque Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch signed off on the criminal complaint and arrest warrant on January 9, 2026.
Busfield’s Response: Denial and “Revenge” Claims
Phone Interview with Police
In a November 3, 2025 phone interview with Albuquerque Police Department detectives, Busfield denied any inappropriate conduct—while also acknowledging extensive physical contact with the children.
When asked “if he ever had any physical contact with these boys and if he ever picked them up and tickled them,” Busfield initially responded that “it was highly likely that he would have.”
However, he later walked back those statements, according to the affidavit:
“I don’t really remember picking those boys up. Uh, I remember picking up the boy who followed them. I’d pick him up, and he’d be giggling, and that would sort of get him ready to act. … I don’t remember those boys. No, I don’t, I don’t actually, I don’t remember it, it, if it happened, I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for me.”
Creating a “Playful Environment”
Busfield acknowledged that he engaged in physical contact with children on set, describing it as part of creating a “playful environment.” He said that such contact was never “weird” and would have happened in front of others, including the boys’ parents.
“Revenge” Allegations
Busfield told investigators that series star Élodie Yung informed him more than a year ago that “the mother of SL and VL… wanted revenge, and I’m going to get my revenge on Tim Busfield for not bringing her kids back for the final season.”
The twins, born in 2014, appeared on “The Cleaning Lady” over multiple seasons before being let go for having aged out of the role, according to entertainment industry sources.
Alleged Grooming Pattern Detailed in Warrant
Officer’s Assessment: “Classic Grooming”
In a striking passage, Officer Marvin Brown’s arrest warrant affidavit details what he characterizes as a pattern of grooming behavior:
“In my training and experience, pedophiles often infiltrate families under a trusted role, like Timothy, who, as a producer, exploited the hectic film sets to tickle and touch SL on his penis and buttocks, masking it as play,” Brown wrote in the warrant.
“He would invite the family to off-set gatherings, with his wife buying Christmas gifts to foster closeness, making SL feel special and dependent—classic grooming to erode boundaries, isolate the victim, and silence suspicions by blending abuse into normalcy.”
Off-Set Relationship Building
According to court documents, Busfield and his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, developed a close relationship with the family:
- Invited the family to off-set social gatherings
- Gilbert bought Christmas gifts for the children
- The relationship made the child “feel special and dependent”
- This closeness allegedly helped “erode boundaries” and “silence suspicions”
On-Set Access and Supervision Issues
The criminal complaint details concerning on-set safety issues:
iPad Monitoring Discontinued: The boys’ mother told investigators that when Busfield joined “The Cleaning Lady” as a director, the practice of providing parents with iPads to monitor their children during filming was discontinued.
Inadequate Supervision: Production assistants allegedly described “abnormal behavior” on set, claiming that Busfield was occasionally left unsupervised with the children due to lapses by the assigned set teacher.
Lack of Oversight: The affidavit mentions concerns from a production assistant about inadequate supervision, noting that one of the children was able to ride a skateboard through a live set without proper oversight.
Warner Bros. Investigation: Conflicting Findings
Anonymous SAG-AFTRA Complaint
In December 2024, Warner Bros. Television received an anonymous complaint through the SAG-AFTRA hotline alleging that Busfield had been seen “tickling and caressing the head and body of minor boys” on set.
The complaint also alleged that Busfield had “kissed a boy on the face in the hair and makeup trailer.”
External Investigation Found No Substantiation
Warner Bros. contracted with an outside investigator to look into the claims. According to court documents, investigator Christina McGovern “was not able to talk with anyone who would support evidence that Timothy Busfield engaged in this behavior.”
The studio’s investigation, completed in March 2025, was unable to substantiate the anonymous claims.
Police Criticize Studio Cooperation
Despite Warner Bros.’ internal investigation finding no evidence, Albuquerque police moved forward with criminal charges based on their own separate investigation—and they were not pleased with the studio’s level of cooperation.
Officer Brown alleged in the affidavit that Warner Bros. “made it very difficult to obtain information for this case.”
The detective obtained a search warrant to get a copy of the investigative report, but it was not turned over until three months later, according to court documents.
When Detective Brown reached out to other child actors on the show to ensure their safety, he was allegedly obstructed by Warner Bros., according to the warrant.
Studio’s Current Statement
Following news of the arrest warrant Friday, Warner Bros. Television issued a carefully worded statement:
“The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action.”
The studio added: “We are aware of the current charges against Mr. Busfield and have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.”
Élodie Yung Declines to Participate in Investigation
Lead Actress Contacted by Police
On November 5, 2025, Officer Brown contacted Élodie Yung, the lead actress and producer on “The Cleaning Lady,” to set up an interview.
Yung agreed to meet with Brown at the Northwest Substation on November 7, 2025.
Last-Minute Cancellation
However, on November 6, 2025—one day before the scheduled interview—Yung left Brown a voicemail declining to speak with him.
According to the affidavit, Yung stated that “she does not want to be involved with the investigation and that she would not have any information that could assist in this case.”
Officer Brown noted in his affidavit that he had “initially advised Élodie that Tim Busfield gave me her name and said that she may have information about this case”—suggesting Busfield himself had pointed investigators toward Yung.
Yung has not publicly commented on the case.
About ‘The Cleaning Lady’ and Busfield’s Role
The Series
“The Cleaning Lady” aired for four seasons on Fox, running from 2022 to 2025. The crime drama starred Élodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa, a Cambodian doctor who comes to the United States seeking medical treatment for her son.
After witnessing a mob killing, Thony ends up becoming a cleaner for organized crime, using her medical skills to clean up crime scenes while trying to protect her family.
Busfield’s Involvement
Timothy Busfield directed six episodes of the series between 2022 and 2025, also serving in a producing capacity. The show was filmed primarily in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Court documents indicate Busfield joined the series as a director partway through its run, and that his arrival marked a shift in on-set protocols and dynamics.
Timothy Busfield: Emmy-Winning Career Now in Jeopardy
Distinguished Hollywood Resume
Timothy Busfield, 68, has had a distinguished career in Hollywood spanning several decades:
Emmy Win (1991):
- Won Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Received four Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Elliot Weston on “thirtysomething” (1987-1991)
Notable Film Roles:
- “Field of Dreams” (1989) – Played Mark alongside Kevin Costner in the beloved baseball classic
- “Revenge of the Nerds” (1984) – Poindexter
- “Stripes” (1981)
- “Sneakers” (1992)
- “Little Big League” (1994)
- “Striking Distance” (1993)
Television Career:
- “The West Wing” (1999-2006) – Played journalist Danny Concannon across multiple seasons
- “thirtysomething” (1987-1991) – Elliot Weston (Emmy-winning role)
- Numerous directing credits on various television series
Marriage to Melissa Gilbert
Busfield is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, best known for playing Laura Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie” (1974-1983). The couple married in 2013.
According to court documents, Gilbert was involved in building relationships with the alleged victims’ family, including buying Christmas gifts for the children.
Gilbert’s publicist did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.
Prior Allegations Surface in Court Documents
1994 and 2012 Incidents
The arrest warrant notes that Busfield has faced prior sexual misconduct allegations on two previous occasions, though he was never charged in either case.
According to court documents:
- 1994: Allegations were made against Busfield (no charges filed)
- 2012: Additional allegations surfaced (no charges filed)
The warrant does not provide details about the nature of those prior allegations or the circumstances surrounding them.
No Criminal Charges Filed Previously
In both previous instances, no criminal charges resulted from the allegations. It’s unclear whether those prior incidents were formally investigated or simply reported.
The inclusion of this information in the current arrest warrant suggests prosecutors may view it as evidence of a pattern of behavior.
Legal Implications: What Busfield Faces
The Charges
Busfield faces three criminal charges in New Mexico:
- Two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor
- One count of Child Abuse
Potential Penalties
If convicted of the charges, Busfield could face significant prison time:
Minimum Sentence: Under New Mexico law, the minimum sentence for criminal sexual contact of a minor is three years in prison.
Enhanced Penalties for Victims Under 13: Because the alleged victims were under 13 years old at the time of some incidents (ages 7 and 8), the potential sentence could be substantially longer.
New Mexico statutes impose enhanced penalties for sex crimes involving children under 13, with prison time varying based on specific circumstances and the degree of the felony.
Multiple Counts: Busfield faces two counts of the same charge, which could result in consecutive sentences if convicted.
What Happens Next
Arrest and Booking: Albuquerque Police are actively searching for Busfield and hope he surrenders. Once arrested, he will be booked into the Bernalillo County Detention Center.
Initial Appearance: Busfield will appear before a judge for an initial appearance, where bail will be set and conditions of release determined.
Preliminary Hearing: A preliminary hearing will be held to determine if there is sufficient probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.
Trial: If the case proceeds, it will be heard in Bernalillo County District Court. Given the nature of the charges, proceedings could take many months.
Civil Lawsuit Question Emerges
Parents Initiated Then Ceased Civil Action
Court documents reference that the boys’ parents “seem to have instigated and then ceased a civil suit” related to these allegations.
The warrant does not provide details about:
- When the civil lawsuit was filed
- Why it was ceased
- Whether it was settled out of court
- What damages were sought
Criminal vs. Civil Proceedings
The criminal case will proceed independently of any civil litigation. Criminal cases require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” while civil cases require only a “preponderance of evidence” (more likely than not).
The fact that a civil suit was started and then stopped does not affect the criminal prosecution.
Industry Response and Implications
SAG-AFTRA Involvement
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) was involved in the case through its anonymous hotline, which received the initial complaint that prompted Warner Bros.’ internal investigation.
SAG-AFTRA has not issued a public statement about the criminal charges.
Child Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny
The allegations have raised serious questions about supervision and safety protocols for child actors on television productions:
Concerns Highlighted:
- Discontinuation of iPad monitoring when Busfield joined production
- Alleged lapses in supervision by set teachers
- Children left unsupervised with directors
- Lack of consistent oversight on set
Industry-Wide Implications: Child welfare advocates have long pushed for stronger protections and oversight when minors are working in professional productions. This case underscores the critical importance of robust safeguarding measures.
Other Productions and Future Work
It’s unclear whether Busfield had other directing or acting projects in development at the time the warrant was issued. His agents at Innovative Artists did not respond to requests for comment.
The charges will almost certainly impact Busfield’s ability to work in Hollywood, particularly on any projects involving minors.
No Response from Busfield’s Representatives
Silence from Legal Team and Agents
As of Friday evening, multiple attempts to reach Busfield’s representatives have gone unanswered:
- Busfield’s attorney did not respond to email messages seeking comment
- His agents at Innovative Artists did not respond to inquiries
- Melissa Gilbert’s publicist did not respond to requests for comment
Public Statement Expected
Legal experts note that Busfield’s legal team will likely issue a public statement once he is arrested or surrenders to authorities.
In high-profile cases involving serious criminal charges, defendants typically release statements through their attorneys asserting their innocence and expressing confidence in the legal process.
What This Means for Child Actors and Hollywood
Ongoing Concerns About Child Safety
The case highlights persistent concerns about protecting minors in the entertainment industry:
Power Dynamics: Directors and producers hold significant power over child actors and their families, creating situations where children may fear coming forward about abuse.
On-Set Supervision: Questions about adequate supervision, monitoring systems, and accountability when adults are alone with children.
Reporting Mechanisms: The importance of clear, confidential reporting channels for parents, guardians, and other crew members who witness concerning behavior.
Industry Culture: Whether the entertainment industry takes child safety seriously enough or prioritizes production schedules and relationships over child welfare.
Legal Protections for Child Actors
Every state has different laws governing child actors:
New Mexico Requirements:
- Studio teachers must be present on set when minors are working
- Parents or guardians must have access to their children
- Work hours are limited based on age
- Education requirements must be met
The allegations suggest some of these protections may have been inadequate or inconsistently enforced on “The Cleaning Lady” set.
Community and Law Enforcement Statements
Albuquerque Police Department
The Albuquerque Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) led the investigation. A spokesperson confirmed Friday that they are actively searching for Busfield.
“We started investigating Busfield in November 2024 for alleged sexual abuse,” APD told media outlets. “An arrest warrant was issued today, and we are actively looking for Busfield, who we hope surrenders.”
District Attorney’s Office
The 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s office in Albuquerque declined to comment on the pending case beyond confirming that Assistant DA Savannah Brandenburg-Koch signed off on the arrest warrant.
Child Advocacy Organizations
While no major child advocacy organizations have issued specific statements about the Busfield case, groups like Childhelp and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have long emphasized the importance of:
- Proper supervision of minors in workplace settings
- Clear reporting mechanisms for suspected abuse
- Believing children when they disclose abuse
- Trauma-informed interviewing techniques
Timeline of Events
November 2022 – Spring 2024: Alleged abuse occurs on “The Cleaning Lady” set in Albuquerque
December 2024: Anonymous complaint filed with SAG-AFTRA hotline
November 2024:
- Doctor at UNM Hospital contacts Albuquerque police
- Parents bring children for medical evaluation
- Initial police interview; children don’t disclose sexual contact
- Case not initially pursued
September 2025:
- Child discloses abuse to therapist and pediatrician
- Investigation reopened
October 31, 2025 (Halloween): Forensic interviews conducted with both alleged victims
November 3, 2025: Phone interview between detectives and Timothy Busfield
November 5-7, 2025: Attempts to interview Élodie Yung (she declines)
March 2025: Warner Bros. completes internal investigation (no substantiation)
January 9, 2026: Arrest warrant issued; police actively searching for Busfield
Quick Facts: Timothy Busfield Case
✅ Charges: 2 counts criminal sexual contact of minor, 1 count child abuse ✅ Alleged victims: Twin brothers, ages 7-8 at time of alleged abuse ✅ Location: “The Cleaning Lady” set, Albuquerque, New Mexico ✅ Timeframe: November 2022 – Spring 2024 ✅ Busfield’s role: Director on 6 episodes, also served as producer ✅ Age: 68 years old ✅ Career: Emmy winner (1991), “West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” “thirtysomething” ✅ Wife: Actress Melissa Gilbert ✅ Prior allegations: 1994 and 2012 (no charges filed) ✅ Current status: Warrant issued January 9, 2026; actively being sought by police ✅ Potential sentence: Minimum 3 years, potentially much longer due to victims’ ages
Related Stories:
- [Child Safety Protocols in Hollywood: What Needs to Change]
- [Understanding Child Sexual Abuse: Warning Signs and Prevention]
- [SAG-AFTRA Hotline: How the Anonymous Reporting System Works]
- [Warner Bros. Investigation vs. Police Investigation: Key Differences]
- [New Mexico Child Protection Laws: What Parents Should Know]
Resources:
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Albuquerque Police Crimes Against Children Unit: (505) 768-2400
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Albuquerque Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit at (505) 768-2400.
About This Coverage: This article is based on court documents filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, police affidavits, statements from law enforcement, Warner Bros. Television, and reporting from multiple news outlets including Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, TMZ, and Associated Press.
Important Note: The accused is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. These are allegations at this stage, and Timothy Busfield has not been convicted of any crime.
Last Updated: January 10, 2026, 12:00 PM MST
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