Update: Actor Timothy Busfield turns himself in to police amid child sex abuse allegations
(Timothy Busfield mugshot, image credit: Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center)
Emmy Award-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield turned himself in to Albuquerque police on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to face child sex abuse charges, days after an arrest warrant was issued in the case.
Related, see: Warrant issued for ‘West Wing’ actor Timothy Busfield on child sex abuse charges
Busfield, 68, perhaps best known for his work on TV’s The West Wing and Thirtysomething, was booked at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center following the warrant, which was signed on January 9 by a judge in New Mexico. According to CBS News, the warrant alleges two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse, based on claims that Busfield inappropriately touched two 11-year-old twin boys while directing and acting on the set of the Fox drama The Cleaning Lady.
According to the criminal complaint filed by the Albuquerque Police Department, one of the boys said Busfield touched him “three or four times on private areas over his clothing” at age 7, and again “five or six times” when he was 8. His twin brother also reported being touched by Busfield but did not specify the location. The complaint states one of the boys feared reporting the conduct because Busfield was directing the series.
In a video obtained by TMZ and reported by multiple outlets, Busfield denied the allegations, calling them “all lies” and asserting his innocence. He said he traveled about 2,000 miles to Albuquerque to confront the accusations after first learning of the warrant. His attorney has maintained that Busfield is innocent and intends to clear his name.
Shortly after Busfield appeared in that TMZ video, it was reported that his wife, Melissa Gilbert, of Little House on the Prairie fame, would not be releasing any public statements.
“Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time,” the statement began. “Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online — including AI-generated deepfakes of her ‘breaking her silence’ — should not be treated as coming from her.”
“She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds,” the statement continued. “During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.” ~ People
Busfield’s legal challenges come as the investigation continues to draw national attention. Warner Bros., which produced The Cleaning Lady, said it conducted an internal review of the allegations but found no corroborating evidence. The veteran actor is scheduled to appear in court as the legal process unfolds. Prosecutors are seeking to keep him in custody pending trial, asserting the severity of the charges and the ages of the alleged victims.
For more on Busfield surrendering himself to authorities in New Mexico, see the video accompanying this article.
~
(Additional sources: The Los Angeles Times, The Guardian)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
