Warrant issued for ‘West Wing’ actor Timothy Busfield on child sex abuse charges

(January 10, 2026) Law enforcement officials in New Mexico have issued an arrest warrant for veteran actor and director Timothy Busfield, charging him with child sexual abuse and related crimes against children tied to alleged incidents that occurred on the set of the television series The Cleaning Lady. The story has shocked the entertainment community and had renewed questions about on-set supervision and safety of child actors.

According to court documents filed in Bernalillo County, the Albuquerque Police Department sought a warrant Friday after a child reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately on multiple occasions when the boy was between ages 7 and 8. The criminal complaint names two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse related to the incidents.

Investigators say the alleged abuse took place between November 2022 and the spring of 2024 while Busfield was directing episodes of the Fox crime drama The Cleaning Lady, where the boys were cast as minor actors. One child disclosed that he feared telling anyone because of Busfield’s authority as a director. A social worker documented the child’s nightmares and post-traumatic stress, according to the complaint.

Busfield not in custody:  As of this writing, Busfield has not been arrested and has not turned himself in. Law enforcement sources say the warrant remains active and authorities are seeking to locate him.

Official responses and statements:

• Busfield or Legal Representation: There has been no public statement from Busfield, his attorney, or his representatives addressing the charges. Attempts by news outlets to obtain comments have gone unanswered.
• According to TheWrap, Warner Bros. Television — which produced The Cleaning Lady — issued a statement emphasizing that the safety of cast and crew, especially minors, is a top priority and that the studio will cooperate with law enforcement.
• Multiple outlets report that neither Busfield nor lead cast members have publicly commented on the matter.

Story background: The investigation into Busfield reportedly began in late 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital made a report to police based on concerns raised by the child’s parents. Warner Bros. conducted its own internal review but said it did not corroborate allegations at that time.

Timothy Busfield: Bio

The 68-year-old Busfield is an Emmy-winning actor and director with a career spanning decades. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Danny Concannon on The West Wing and for his role on the acclaimed drama Thirtysomething, for which he earned a Primetime Emmy Award in 1991. He has appeared in films such as Field of Dreams and Revenge of the Nerds and has directed television episodes for multiple series.

Born in Lansing, Michigan, Busfield studied drama at East Tennessee State University and has more than 700 credits across film, television, and stage. He is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, known for her role on Little House on the Prairie.

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As the arrest warrant remains active, law enforcement continues efforts to locate Busfield.  For more on the arrest warrant issued for Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield, see the video below

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(Sources: Associated Press, ABC News, People, TheWrap, Variety)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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