Albuquerque, Jan 11: Emmy winning actor and director Timothy Busfield is facing an arrest warrant over alleged child sexual abuse on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady. Known for his work on The West Wing and Thirtysomething, the 68 year old actor now confronts serious criminal charges.
According to authorities in New Mexico, Busfield allegedly engaged in inappropriate contact with a child on set between November 2022 and spring 2024. The child, initially seven years old and again at age eight, reportedly confided the incidents to Child Protective Services after the mother became aware. The arrest warrant, signed by a judge, lists two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor.
Court documents, which identify the child only by initials, indicate the victim suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. A social worker noted that the child experienced nightmares and was too frightened to report the incidents at the time, fearing repercussions from Busfield, who directed the series.
The Cleaning Lady, a four season Fox series that concluded in 2025, starred Elodie Yung as a Cambodian doctor entangled with organized crime while trying to save her son. The show was produced by Warner Bros., which reportedly conducted an internal investigation but could not independently verify the allegations.
Busfield’s career spans decades, including roles in Field of Dreams, Thirtysomething, and The West Wing, alongside work as a director.
Adding context to the timing of the arrest warrant, Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, spoke publicly in November 2025 about child abuse in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on her own experiences as a 15-year-old on Little House on the Prairie, she highlighted the age gap between herself and her on screen love interest, writing on social media: “I WAS A CHILD. I WAS FIFTEEN.”
The warrant against Busfield underscores ongoing concerns about safeguarding minors on film and television sets, prompting renewed scrutiny of industry practices and protections for child actors.