> At a Glance
- Emmy-winning director Timothy Busfield faces an arrest warrant for alleged child-sex abuse on a Fox set
- The boy claims Busfield inappropriately touched him at ages 7 and 8 between Nov 2022 and spring 2024
- Warner Bros. reviewed the claims but could not confirm them; Albuquerque police filed two counts of criminal sexual contact
- Why it matters: A high-profile Hollywood figure is accused of abusing power over a child actor while cameras rolled
Albuquerque authorities signed an arrest warrant for Timothy Busfield, the Emmy-winning actor-director, after a child claimed repeated abuse during filming of The Cleaning Lady.
Allegations on Set
The investigation began in November 2024 when a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted police. The complaint describes two time periods:
- First incident: the boy was 7 years old; Busfield allegedly touched him three or four times
- Second incident: the child was 8 years old; five or six alleged touches occurred
The child, identified only by initials, told a social worker he feared retaliation because Busfield was the director and “might get mad.” Diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety, he reported nightmares about the incidents.
Studio and Legal Response
Warner Bros., producer of The Cleaning Lady, ran its own inquiry but found no corroboration, according to the court filing. The series-starring Elodie Yung as a doctor-turned-mob-cleaner-aired four seasons through 2025.
Busfield’s attorney and agent did not respond to email requests for comment. Spouses Melissa Gilbert‘s publicist also did not reply.
Key Takeaways
- Warrant signed Friday by a New Mexico judge
- Charge: two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor
- Investigation launched after parents followed a law firm’s advice to visit UNM Hospital
- Fox series wrapped its final season in 2025
Police continue their inquiry while Busfield’s whereabouts remain undisclosed.
