At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield, actor-director and husband of Melissa Gilbert, faces an arrest warrant for alleged child sex abuse.
- The Albuquerque Police Department issued the warrant on Jan. 9, charging him with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- The alleged victims are 11-year-old twin boys who met Busfield on the set of The Cleaning Lady, where he worked as a director.
- Why it matters: The case involves a high-profile Hollywood figure and raises concerns about child safety on television sets.
Timothy Busfield, the Emmy-winning actor and director known for Thirtysomething and The West Wing, is facing serious allegations of child sex abuse. The Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant against him on January 9, charging him with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
Busfield, who has been married to Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert since 2013, allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two child actors he met on the set of FOX’s The Cleaning Lady. According to the warrant, one of the 11-year-old twins claimed the abuse began when he was just 7 years old.
The Allegations
The investigation began in early November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) reported suspected sexual abuse. The twins’ parents told authorities their sons had grown close to Busfield while working on The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a director.
Key details from the warrant:
- The boys’ mother asked if anyone had ever touched them inappropriately
- The children allegedly responded, “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
- A lawyer advised the parents to take the boys to UNMH
- Hospital professionals indicated the children may have been groomed
The warrant also reveals that Busfield has faced prior sexual assault allegations dating back to 1994, though those did not result in charges.
The Investigation
Officer Marvin Brown conducted a phone interview with Busfield on November 3, 2025. During this call, Melissa Gilbert listened via speakerphone as her husband allegedly stated the boys’ parents were upset their children had been replaced by a younger actor on the show.
The parents discovered rumors about Busfield’s behavior after learning he had been accused of being “handsy” with women. They became concerned and questioned their sons about their interactions with the director.
Warner Bros. Responds
Warner Bros. Television, which produces The Cleaning Lady, released a statement through a representative:
“The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority. We will cooperate with law enforcement through the investigation.”
Representatives for both Busfield and Gilbert did not respond to requests for comment from News Of Losangeles.
Who Is Timothy Busfield?
Busfield, 67, has had a decades-long career in Hollywood:
- Graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1979
- Won an Emmy in 1991 for his role as Elliot Weston in Thirtysomething
- Played Danny Concannon in The West Wing
- Directed episodes of This Is Us and The Night Shift
- Co-hosts a podcast with Gilbert, launched in 2020
The actor has three children from previous relationships:
- Wilson (a cinematographer, married to Angella)
- Samuel and Daisy (who maintain private lives)
The Marriage
Busfield and Gilbert’s relationship timeline:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Met at a bar | 2012 |
| Got engaged | Holiday season 2012 |
| Married | April 24, 2013 |
| Lived in Howell, Michigan | 5 years |
| Moved to New York | After Michigan |
Both had been married twice before. Gilbert has two adult sons from previous marriages:
- Dakota (with ex-husband Bo Brinkman)
- Michael (with ex-husband Bruce Boxleitner)
Together, Busfield and Gilbert are grandparents to eight grandchildren through their blended family.
What’s Next
As of now, Busfield faces an active arrest warrant. The case remains under investigation by the Albuquerque Police Department.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
