Timothy Busfield Insists Child Sexual Abuse Allegations Are ‘All Lies,’ Turns Himself In
Actor Timothy Busfield has publicly and vehemently denied shocking child sexual abuse allegations, labeling them as “all lies.” The 68-year-old star, known for his roles in The West Wing and thirtysomething, turned himself in at the Metro Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, following an arrest warrant.
The warrant, issued on November 1, 2024, charges Busfield with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The allegations involve two 11-year-old siblings whom Busfield reportedly met while working as a director on the FOX series The Cleaning Lady between January 2022 and June 2023.
According to the warrant affidavit, the children’s parents alerted police after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) raised concerns. The parents claimed Busfield grew close to the boys on set, asking them to call him “Uncle Tim.” After hearing rumors about Busfield being “‘handsy’ with women,” the mother questioned her sons. The children reportedly responded by asking, “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
An initial hospital visit led professionals to suggest the boys showed signs of having been “groomed,” though no specific sexual contact was disclosed at that time. The case was initially deemed not to meet certain criteria. However, in October 2025, the mother filed a formal police report, stating her children had since disclosed sexual abuse occurring from approximately November 2022 to Spring 2024. She was reportedly told that without evidence of physical abuse, no immediate action could be taken.
Shortly before surrendering to authorities, Busfield released a video statement obtained by TMZ, asserting his innocence. “I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I’m gonna confront these lies. They’re horrible,” he stated. “They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it… I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
His attorney, Stanton ‘Larry’ Stein, echoed this defense in a statement: “Tim voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities after travelling across the country to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations.” The warrant notes that Busfield told police he believed the accusations stemmed from the parents being upset that their sons were replaced by a younger actor on The Cleaning Lady. He also stated he had previously received a call about Warner Bros. investigating a complaint.
Gilbert Gallegos, Director of Communications for the Albuquerque Police Department, confirmed Busfield’s self-surrender and booking. The actor, married to actress Melissa Gilbert, now faces a legal battle to clear his name against what he describes as completely fabricated claims. The case highlights the complex and serious nature of such allegations, now set to play out in the judicial system.
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