Newly released images show Timothy Busfield after he surrendered to authorities following accusations involving 11-year-old twins he worked with on a television series.
The weekend witnessed an extensive search after the Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant for the former West Wing actor, alleging sexual misconduct involving two 11-year-old twins.
On Tuesday, January 13, the 68-year-old actor reported to police in New Mexico. The local police department confirmed: “Timothy Busfield has turned himself in at the Metro Detention Center. He will be booked on his warrant.”
Busfield faces charges of two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and a single count of child abuse.
The Emmy-awarded actor has denied these accusations and provided further insight into his four-day absence. In a statement, he asserted, “I did not do ‘anything wrong.'”
In a video shared by TMZ, Busfield recounted: “I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I’m gonna confront these lies. They’re horrible.
“They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys 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, because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Per the arrest warrant, Busfield is alleged to have engaged in illegal sexual conduct with two twin boys he encountered while directing the second season of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady.
Allegations of abuse surfaced following a report by a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital, prompting an investigation that commenced in November 2024.
The warrant claims Busfield established a ‘closer’ relationship with the boys during filming, earning him the nickname ‘Uncle Tim’ due to their familiarity.
Parents became suspicious when they learned of allegations against Busfield concerning both women and minors, as reported by People.
Subsequently, their twins were questioned about inappropriate touching, to which they replied: “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
Initially, Busfield faced no accusations of sexual misconduct, with both boys noting instances of being tickled by the actor, prompting police to halt further investigation. Yet, fresh allegations emerged in September and October 2025.
The boys’ mother informed Child Protective Services that ‘her children both disclosed there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024,’ though no further inquiry ensued due to the absence of physical abuse claims.
Busfield has refuted the allegations, suggesting the parents filed the claims out of ‘revenge’ after their children were replaced on the show.
His spouse, Melissa Gilbert, has expressed support for Busfield but refrained from commenting due to the ongoing investigation.
Gilbert’s representative stated: “Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time.
“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.
“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.”
Busfield’s attorney, Stanton Stein, stated to People: “Tim voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities after traveling across the country to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations.”
Warner Bros Television, the producer of The Cleaning Lady, commented: “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.