A criminal arrest warrant has been issued in the United States for veteran American actor and director Timothy Busfield, following serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving two minor boys. The case, emerging from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
The Allegations and Police Investigation
The Albuquerque Police Department filed an official arrest warrant on 1 November 2024, after initiating an investigation. The probe was triggered when a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted authorities to suspected child abuse. The warrant details two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse against the 68-year-old actor.
The allegations centre on two 11-year-old siblings, both child actors, whose identities are protected due to their age. The boys reportedly first met Busfield on the set of the Fox television drama ‘The Cleaning Lady’, where Busfield served as a director during the show's final seasons.
Details of the Accusations
According to the arrest warrant, one of the children told investigators that the alleged inappropriate conduct began when he was just seven years old. The incidents came to light only after the family sought medical evaluation following professional advice.
The warrant states that Busfield encouraged the children to call him “Uncle Tim.” It alleges he would tickle them on their stomachs and legs. The boys' parents informed police they had previously heard "multiple rumours that Timothy had been ‘handsy’ with women and minors." When they asked their sons if anyone had made them feel uncomfortable, one boy reportedly responded: “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
Later, one of the boys disclosed to a therapist and a paediatrician that Busfield had "touched him on his penis and bottom." The child was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, and described having nightmares about the alleged incidents.
Industry Response and Legal Ramifications
Efforts to contact representatives for Timothy Busfield and the Fox network have so far been unsuccessful. Warner Bros., the studio behind 'The Cleaning Lady', reportedly conducted an internal review after a separate anonymous complaint was filed in 2025. However, police filings note that the studio's review did not corroborate the allegations.
Busfield has not been taken into custody at this time and has not made any public statement regarding the charges. Under New Mexico law, the charges he faces are felonies that could result in significant prison sentences upon conviction.
This case highlights ongoing and critical concerns about the safety and protection of children working within the global entertainment industry, underscoring the need for robust safeguarding protocols on all production sets.
