Authorities in New Mexico have officially issued an arrest warrant for Timothy Busfield, the veteran actor and director best known for his roles in The West Wing and Thirtysomething. The Albuquerque Police Department filed a criminal complaint charging the 68-year-old with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor.
Allegations Stem from Fox Series Production
The charges involve a child actor who worked on the set of the Fox TV series The Cleaning Lady, a production where Busfield served as both a recurring actor and a director. According to the complaint, the alleged abuse took place between November 2022 and the spring of 2024.
The victim, identified only by initials, reported multiple incidents of inappropriate touching beginning at age seven. The child reportedly told investigators he remained silent initially out of fear, citing Busfield’s position of power as the show’s director.
Mental Health Impact and Investigation Details
The investigation gained momentum in November 2024 after a referral from a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Per the criminal complaint:
The child has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and severe anxiety.
A social worker documented reports of chronic nightmares directly related to the alleged incidents.
Warner Bros., the studio behind The Cleaning Lady, launched an internal investigation during production but stated they were unable to corroborate the claims at that time.
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New Details from the Criminal Complaint
While the initial reports identified one child, the unsealed affidavit clarifies that the allegations involve twin brothers who were child actors on the set.
The “Uncle Tim” Dynamic: The boys reportedly told forensic interviewers that Busfield encouraged them to call him “Uncle Tim” to build a sense of familial trust.
Security Lapses: The complaint highlights a troubling shift in production safety. It alleges that iPad monitoring systems, which previously allowed parents to watch their children on set in real-time, were discontinued shortly after Busfield moved into a directorial role.
Specific Allegations: One of the victims described being touched inappropriately in “private areas” while filming scenes in a bedroom setting.
Crew Statements: Production assistants interviewed by APD reportedly described “abnormal behavior” on set, claiming the director was occasionally left unsupervised with the minors due to lapses by the assigned set teacher.
A Career Under Scrutiny
Timothy Busfield is a prominent figure in Hollywood, having won an Emmy Award in 1991 for his work on Thirtysomething. His extensive credits include the 1989 classic Field of Dreams and a long-standing role as Danny Concannon on NBC’s The West Wing. He has been married to Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert since 2013.
As of Saturday, representatives for Busfield and Gilbert have not released a formal statement regarding the New Mexico warrant or the specific charges.
