SUMMARY
- Busfield faces four third degree felony charges for criminal sexual contact of a child.
- He was released on his own recognizance with restrictions after a pretrial detention hearing.
- Authorities and Warner Bros. are cooperating with the ongoing investigation into alleged abuse on set.
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Actor and director Timothy Busfield, 68, has been indicted by a Bernalillo County grand jury on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced Friday. All four charges are third degree felonies, according to court records obtained by People.
Busfield, best known for his roles in Field of Dreams and The West Wing, turned himself in on Jan. 13 after the Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant alleging sexual misconduct involving 11 year old twin boys who appeared on the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield worked as a director.
The investigation into Busfield began in November 2024 after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported potential sexual abuse of the twin boys to police, following discussions with the children’s parents and legal counsel.
According to the arrest warrant, the alleged abuse started in November 2022 and continued through Spring 2024. One of the children reportedly disclosed the abuse to a counselor in September 2025.
Busfield was previously accused of sexual misconduct in Sacramento, California, dating back 25 years.
His civil attorney, Larry Stein, told People that these allegations “were never challenged, they were never proved, and they’re 25 years old.”
After surrendering, Busfield spoke to TMZ, stating, “I did not do anything. They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I’m gonna fight it.” He is scheduled to face trial in Bernalillo County.
Bregman emphasized that the Special Victims Unit will prosecute the case, adding, “Protecting children remains a top priority for my office. This case will proceed through the judicial process and is expected to move forward to trial.”
Legal experts note the high profile nature of the case could influence public perception and court proceedings.
“Cases involving minors and entertainment industry figures attract intense scrutiny,” said Marcia Clark, former Los Angeles prosecutor and legal analyst.
“Ensuring proper procedures and child protection is critical to maintaining judicial integrity.” Child protection specialists also highlight the significance of timely reporting and multi agency cooperation.
Dr. Jessica Rivera, a child advocacy expert at the University of New Mexico, said, “Early intervention by medical professionals and law enforcement can prevent ongoing abuse and provide support for victims and families.”
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said, “We are committed to doing everything possible to protect children and ensure justice for victims across New Mexico.”
Melissa Gilbert, Busfield’s wife, attended the pretrial hearing and was seen expressing relief at his release. A representative said her focus remains on “supporting and caring for their very large family” while respecting privacy.
Warner Bros. Television issued a statement: “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and cooperate with law enforcement.”
Busfield will remain under court ordered supervision as the case moves toward trial. Legal proceedings are expected to include testimony from the alleged victims, child protective specialists, and expert witnesses.
The outcome may influence policies regarding child safety protocols on entertainment sets.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about potential child abuse to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. All calls are confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages.
Busfield’s indictment underscores ongoing concerns over child safety in professional environments and the responsibility of law enforcement and institutions to protect vulnerable populations.
The case is expected to proceed through the judicial process, reinforcing the legal principle that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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