At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield, 68, turned himself in Jan. 13 after an Albuquerque warrant charged him with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
- The allegations involve 11-year-old twins who met Busfield on the FOX series The Cleaning Lady where he directed in 2022.
- Busfield told TMZ the claims are “all lies” and vowed to fight the charges; wife Melissa Gilbert is staying silent on legal advice.
- Why it matters:** The case spotlights safety protocols for minors on TV sets and the legal hurdles families face when abuse is reported months later.
Timothy Busfield’s mugshot was released by Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Detention Center moments after the actor surrendered Tuesday, capping a four-day manhunt that began when Albuquerque police issued an arrest warrant Jan. 9.
According to the warrant obtained by News Of Losangeles, Busfield is accused of unlawful sexual contact with twin boys from late 2022 through spring 2024. The children, now 11, were part of the cast and crew community while their mother worked on The Cleaning Lady.
The Allegations
The investigation started Nov. 1, 2024, when a University of New Mexico Hospital doctor alerted police. The mother told detectives that both sons later disclosed Busfield had touched them inappropriately during visits to his on-set trailer.
Key timeline from the warrant:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 2022 | Boys meet Busfield when he directs Season 2 episodes |
| Spring 2024 | Alleged abuse ends, family leaves production |
| Oct 3, 2024 | Mother files first police report; told no physical evidence |
| Jan 9, 2025 | Warrant issued; Busfield drives 2,000 miles to surrender |
The mother said Busfield encouraged the boys to call him “Uncle Tim” and would invite them to play video games in his trailer. She claimed they told a counselor in September 2024 that he had touched them sexually.
Busfield’s Response
In a video obtained by TMZ hours before booking, Busfield denied every allegation.
> “They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it,” he said, adding he hired a “great team” and expects to be “exonerated.”
When investigators asked if he ever tickled the boys, Busfield allegedly replied it was “highly likely” because he wanted “a playful environment,” but insisted any contact happened “in front of the parents.”
He suggested the accusations stem from the boys being replaced by a younger actor, calling the situation “revenge.”
Studio and Family Statements
Warner Bros. Television told News Of Losangeles: “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors… We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate.”
Melissa Gilbert’s representative said she “is not making public statements at this time” and asked the public to ignore AI-generated deepfakes purporting to show her commenting.
> “She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds… Melissa stands with and supports her husband,” the statement read.
Next Steps
Busfield was booked and released on unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is expected within 30 days. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to nine years in New Mexico state prison.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact Albuquerque Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit.
Key Takeaways
- The case hinges on delayed disclosure, a common challenge in child-abuse prosecutions.
- Studios rely on parents and guardians to monitor minors, but gaps can emerge when filming schedules stretch past midnight.
- Busfield’s legal team must now balance public denials with courtroom strategy as jury selection looms.
