At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield drove 20 hours to turn himself in after New Mexico authorities refused to lift his arrest warrant
- Prosecutors call the long drive a “calculated decision” to avoid extradition
- The West Wing actor faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse
- Why it matters: The surrender drama unfolds as disturbing allegations emerge involving twin boys who met Busfield on a TV set
Timothy Busfield’s 2,000-mile drive to surrender on child sex charges was no road-trip choice-his lawyer says airport travel was impossible while an arrest warrant remained active.
20-Hour Drive to Jail
Busfield’s attorney Larry Stein tells News Of Losangeles that the actor crossed the country by car because authorities declined to lift the warrant. “He can’t have an arrest warrant pending because if he goes to the airport to come here from across country, he’s gonna get arrested,” Stein explains.
Stein says Busfield’s criminal lawyer Chris Dodd first asked Albuquerque police to quash the warrant so the actor could fly. When they refused, Busfield drove straight through to New Mexico. “He got in his car and drove 20 hours to get here to turn himself in because he couldn’t go on a plane,” Stein adds.
Prosecutors Call It Calculated
The Bernalillo District Attorney paints the drive in a harsher light. In a pretrial detention motion obtained by News Of Losangeles, prosecutors call the trip “a calculated decision to submit to law enforcement only on terms most convenient to the Defendant.”
The DA’s office notes that Busfield “did not immediately surrender,” claiming he “delayed for approximately five days, traveling from New York to New Mexico to avoid the extradition process.”
Charges Unsealed
On January 13, Busfield was officially charged with:
- Two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor (child under 13)
- One count of Child Abuse
Bernalillo District Attorney Sam Bregman announced the indictment and said the actor will appear before a judge later this week.
The Allegations
An arrest warrant obtained by Ethan R. Coleman outlines the claims:
- Two 11-year-old twins allege sexual abuse
- The boys met Busfield on the set of FOX’s The Cleaning Lady during season 2 (aired 2022)
- Parents say Busfield “grew closer” to the boys after directing episodes
- One boy claims abuse began when he was 7
| Key Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Nov. 1, 2024 | Doctor at University of New Mexico Hospital alerts police |
| Oct. 2025 | Mother files police report after boys disclose alleged abuse |
| Sept. 2 & 22, 2025 | Mother tells authorities her son reported inappropriate touching to counselor |
| Dec. 2024 | Warner Bros. internal probe documents alleged face-kissing incident in hair-and-makeup trailer |
The warrant claims parents took the boys to UNMH after legal advice. Hospital staff reportedly suggested the children may have been “groomed.”
Warner Bros. Investigation
Studio records cited in the warrant state an individual “claimed to have witnessed” Busfield kiss a minor on the face in a trailer in December 2024. Investigators allege the actor invited the family to off-set gatherings and that his wife bought Christmas gifts “to foster closeness, making [the boy] feel special and dependent-classic grooming to erode boundaries.”
Busfield Responds
In a video obtained by TMZ ahead of his surrender, Busfield declared: “I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it.”
Stein tells News Of Losangeles Busfield is “absolutely shocked” and “devastated,” insisting the allegations are “absolutely false.”
The actor also allegedly told investigators it was “highly likely” he picked up or tickled the boys because he wanted “a playful environment.” When questioned about motive, he suggested the parents were upset their sons were replaced by a younger actor.
U.S. Marshals Involvement
Stein criticizes the use of the U.S. Marshals Service to locate Busfield, calling it “totally out of whack and disproportionate to the situation.” He maintains his client “turned himself in as soon as he could, given the fact that he had the drive.”
Family Reaction
Melissa Gilbert, Busfield’s wife, is standing by him. A representative tells News Of Losangeles: “Her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
What’s Next
Busfield remains in custody awaiting a detention hearing. Prosecutors argue the actor’s cross-country drive shows risk of flight; defense attorneys counter that he came in voluntarily as soon as ground travel allowed.
Key Takeaways
- Busfield chose the road after authorities kept his warrant active
- Prosecutors label the drive an attempt to dodge extradition
- Allegations stem from time on the set of The Cleaning Lady
- Warner Bros. conducted its own internal review
- His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, publicly supports him
