Arrest warrant leads Emmy-winning West Wing star to turn himself in as prosecutors seek detention

Emmy-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield appeared in a New Mexico court on Wednesday after turning himself in to face child sexual abuse charges. According to Yahoo Entertainment, Busfield, 68, appeared via video from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County wearing an orange jumpsuit.

The judge ordered Busfield held without bond pending a pretrial detention hearing. He did not enter a plea during the appearance, and the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office confirmed it has filed a motion seeking to keep him detained until the hearing, which must be held within five business days.

Busfield turned himself in on Tuesday, four days after Albuquerque police issued an arrest warrant. He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse stemming from allegations involving 11-year-old twin boys on a television production. This follows increased scrutiny around safety and abuse issues, similar to how Roblox is in chaos after trying to address the child safety problems, like the struggles with age-verification systems.

Prosecutors argue detention is warranted based on an alleged pattern of conduct

Busfield is accused of inappropriate conduct that allegedly occurred between 2022 and 2024 on the set of the canceled TV drama The Cleaning Lady, on which he served as both director and actor. A criminal complaint states the investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor reported concerns involving the twin boys, who were child actors and reportedly referred to Busfield as “Uncle Tim.”

One child told a forensic interviewer that the alleged abuse began when he was seven years old and involved Busfield touching him over his clothing in private areas on multiple occasions. The child said he was afraid to report it because Busfield was the director, and he feared getting in trouble. The second child reported similar conduct during their first two years on set, saying they did not speak up because they did not want to get in trouble.

Prosecutors’ pretrial detention motion also references an uncharged allegation involving a third alleged victim. The parents of a 16-year-old girl told authorities that Busfield sexually abused their daughter several years ago while she was auditioning at B Street Theatre in Sacramento, which Busfield founded in 1986. According to the filing, the girl reported that Busfield kissed her and touched her genitals, and that he later asked the family not to report the incident while promising to seek therapy.

An Albuquerque police officer wrote in the complaint that the alleged behavior fit a grooming pattern, citing claims that Busfield developed close relationships with the families, gave gifts, and hosted social gatherings to build trust. The officer stated these actions were allegedly used to erode boundaries and discourage disclosure.

Busfield denied the allegations when interviewed by investigators in November 2025. He acknowledged that he may have picked up and tickled the boys, but said it was meant to create a playful atmosphere on set. He also suggested the children’s mother was motivated by anger after her sons were replaced on the show.

Busfield’s attorney, Stanton Stein, said his client denies all allegations and intends to fight the charges. Stein stated that Busfield voluntarily traveled to New Mexico to address what he described as false accusations.

Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has deactivated her social media accounts following the charges. A representative said she would not comment publicly at the request of Busfield’s legal team but confirmed she supports her husband. Warner Bros. Television, which produced The Cleaning Lady, said it is aware of the charges and is cooperating with law enforcement. Meanwhile, other news on unresolved mysteries and investigations, like how decades-old disappearances are being solved through modern techniques, continues to make headlines.