At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield, 68, faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse involving 11-year-old twins
- He surrendered to Albuquerque police on January 13 after driving 2,000 miles with his lawyer
- Wife Melissa Gilbert is standing by him and honoring his legal team’s request for silence
- Why it matters: The case involves alleged grooming on a TV set and could impact how productions protect child actors
Actor Timothy Busfield has turned himself in to Albuquerque authorities after a warrant accused him of sexually abusing twin boys he met while directing a television series. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, is supporting him as the legal process begins.
The Allegations
Busfield, 68, faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The warrant, issued January 9, alleges the incidents involve 11-year-old twin boys he met on the set of The Cleaning Lady during season 2 in 2022.
According to the arrest warrant obtained by News Of Losangeles, Officer Marvin Brown detailed how Busfield “grew closer” to the boys after joining the FOX series as a director. The document states he told the children to call him “Uncle Tim.”
The parents discovered allegations against Busfield involving both women and minors, prompting them to question their sons about uncomfortable touching. The children allegedly responded by asking, “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
The Investigation Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2024 | Alleged incident in hair and makeup trailer witnessed |
| January 9, 2025 | Warrant issued for Busfield’s arrest |
| January 12, 2025 | U.S. Marshals Service joined search |
| January 13, 2025 | Busfield surrendered to authorities |
After initial concerns in 2022, the parents took their sons to UNMH where professionals suggested the boys “were groomed,” though no sexual contact was disclosed at that time. The children claimed Busfield “would tickle them on the stomach and legs,” but the case didn’t meet acceptance criteria.
The investigation intensified when one boy told his counselor about inappropriate touching. His therapist later diagnosed him with moderate PTSD and anxiety, noting he suffered nightmares about “the director touching him” and began bed-wetting.
Busfield’s Response
In a video obtained by TMZ on January 13, Busfield denied all allegations.
“I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it,” he stated. “I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Busfield claimed he drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque after receiving the call Friday night and hiring a lawyer Saturday. He alleged the parents were upset their sons had been replaced with a younger actor and wanted revenge.
Production Company Response
Warner Bros. Television told News Of Losangeles in a statement: “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action.”
The company confirmed they have been and will continue cooperating with law enforcement.
Gilbert’s Position
Melissa Gilbert’s representative, Ame Van Iden, issued a statement minutes after Busfield’s video appeared online.
“Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time,” the statement began. “Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online – including AI-generated deepfakes of her ‘breaking her silence’ – should not be treated as coming from her.”
The statement continued: “She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds. During this period, 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.”
Investigation Details
Officer Brown’s warrant describes how Busfield allegedly exploited his position as a producer and director. The document claims he used the hectic film set environment to “tickle and touch” one victim on his penis and buttocks “masking it as play.”
The warrant alleges Busfield invited the family to off-set gatherings and that his wife bought Christmas gifts to foster closeness. Brown wrote this represented “classic grooming to erode boundaries, isolate the victim, and silence suspicions by blending abuse into normalcy.”
One incident allegedly witnessed involved Busfield entering the hair and makeup trailer and kissing a minor male on the face as the child received a haircut.
Key Takeaways
- The case involves alleged abuse spanning multiple years, beginning when the victims were 7 years old
- Busfield faces serious charges that could result in significant prison time if convicted
- The investigation involves both law enforcement and the production company’s internal review
- Gilbert’s support adds a personal dimension to the high-profile case
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453. All calls are toll-free and confidential, available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
