Timothy Busfield Turns Himself In Amid Child Abuse Allegations
Shock swept Hollywood and social media after Emmy-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield surrendered to authorities in New Mexico. The 68-year-old is now speaking publicly in a video, responding to serious allegations.
Surrender and Charges
Busfield voluntarily turned himself in on January 13, 2026, in Albuquerque. Authorities issued an arrest warrant four days earlier, on January 9. The U.S. Marshals Service had assisted New Mexico police in locating him.
Prosecutors charge him with child abuse and criminal sexual contact with a minor. The case involves two boys, ages seven and eight at the time, who appeared in a 2022 episode of The Cleaning Lady, filmed in New Mexico. Their parents brought allegations in 2024, sparking a police investigation.
Busfield Speaks Out
Before surrendering, Busfield shared a video with TMZ. He denied all wrongdoing, saying:
“I did not do anything to those little boys. I will confront these lies.”
His attorney, Larry Stein, suggested the complaint may have ulterior motives. Stein cited claims from an actress stating the boys’ mother sought revenge after her sons were cut from the show’s final season.
Warner Bros. retained attorney Christina McGovern to conduct an internal review. She confirmed there was no corroborating evidence of misconduct and that Busfield was never alone with the twins on set.
Wife Issues Statement
Following Busfield’s video, his wife, Melissa Gilbert, addressed misinformation through her representative, Ame Van Iden. She said Gilbert will remain silent during the ongoing legal process, focusing instead on supporting their family.
Van Iden also warned the public about fake online statements and AI-generated videos falsely claiming to quote Gilbert.
Studio Response
Warner Bros. Television, producer of The Cleaning Lady, emphasized the safety of its cast and crew. A spokesperson said the studio takes all allegations seriously and has measures in place to investigate promptly. Warner Bros. also cooperates fully with law enforcement.
Meanwhile, NBC pulled an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU featuring Busfield. The episode was scheduled for January 15 and will be replaced by a later episode.
Career Highlights
Busfield won an Emmy for Thirtysomething and is known for roles in Field of Dreams, The West Wing, and Revenge of the Nerds. He has also worked as a director, including on The Cleaning Lady.
Next Steps
As the legal process continues, Busfield and his team maintain his innocence. The story continues to evolve as law enforcement and the studios investigate and respond.