ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Timothy Busfield, the Emmy Award-winning actor and director, surrendered to the authorities on Tuesday in New Mexico facing serious charges of child sex abuse. Busfield's arrest comes after a warrant was issued on January 9 for two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse, stemming from disturbing allegations involving young boys on the set of the TV series 'The Cleaning Lady'.
The allegations describe instances where the boys were reportedly inappropriately touched by Busfield while he directed the show. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Albuquerque Police Department, one of the boys disclosed that he was just seven years old when the incidents first occurred. Fearful of repercussions in the work environment, the boys did not initially come forward with their experiences.
Testimonies indicate the boys, who have since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, expressed fears of Busfield's anger, contributing to their silence during crucial moments.
During previous interviews, Busfield denied all allegations, suggesting they might be connected to personal grievances from the children's mother over their replacement on set. He characterized the atmosphere on set as playful, further complicating the narrative surrounding the serious allegations.
The investigation was prompted in November 2024, when medical professionals at a local hospital alerted authorities after the boys' parents sought help, leading to a comprehensive examination of the claims. Despite Warner Bros., the production studio, conducting its own investigation into the claims, they could not substantiate the allegations against Busfield.
Busfield, whose past credits include appearances in 'The West Wing', 'Field of Dreams', and 'Thirtysomething'—which earned him an Emmy—continues to face a challenging legal surrounding as more details unfold.
