Timothy Busfield did not enter a plea during his first court appearance for his child sex abuse case.
Busfield, 60, appeared in court in New Mexico on Wednesday, January 14, per Deadline. The director wore an orange jumpsuit. Busfield did not enter a plea and will remain in custody before returning to court in less than a week.
According to an Albuquerque Police Department affidavit obtained by Luxury Handbag Shopping on Saturday, January 10, Busfield was accused of inappropriately touching two twin brothers who were serving as child actors on his series The Cleaning Lady, which aired for four seasons from 2022 to 2025. The alleged incidents occurred between late 2022 and early 2024.
One child claimed that Busfield touched his “private areas” inappropriately on multiple occasions per the docs. The boy was “very afraid of Tim and was relieved when he was off set,” according to the affidavit. The young actor also stated that he “was afraid to tell anyone because Tim was the director, and he feared Tim would get mad at him.”
The second child told authorities he was allegedly touched by Busfield but did not specify where. The boy did not provide additional details because he didn’t want to get in trouble.
The actors’ mother told Child Protective Services that the alleged abuse occurred between late 2022 and the second half of 2024. One child was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety following the alleged incidents.
In an interview with police during the investigation, Busfield denied that there was anything “weird” about his interactions with the children on set.
“I mean, I’m always around people, right? It would be, you know, in front of the parents. There would never be a weird moment about it,” he said per the docs. “I don’t really remember picking those boys up. I remember picking up the boy who followed them. I’d pick him up and he’d be giggling and that would sort of get him ready to act.”
Busfield also claimed that he was “never alone on set without the teacher, a welfare worker, or a parent.”
The West Wing alum is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
TMZ reported on Tuesday, January 13, that Busfield surrendered himself to the police.
“Hi everybody, it’s Tim. I’m sure most of you know that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque. I’m here now,” he said in a video obtained by the outlet. “I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque.”
Busfield also maintained his innocence, sharing he was going to “confront” the allegations, which he referred to as “lies.”
“I did not do anything to those little boys,” he continued. “And I’m gonna fight it. I’m gonna fight it with a great team, and I’m gonna be exonerated. I know I am, ‘cause this is all so wrong and so lies. So hang in there, and hopefully I’m out real soon.”
Busfield’s wife, Melissa Gilbert, broke her silence on Tuesday in a statement via her rep.
“During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment,” Gilbert’s rep told Us in a statement. “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time.”
The rep added that the actress will not be making additional statements at this time at the request of Busfield’s lawyers.
