Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield has been cut from a forthcoming film after surrendering to New Mexico authorities on child sexual abuse charges. The 68-year-old turned himself in on Tuesday, four days after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Busfield faces three criminal counts: two of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one of child abuse. The allegations involve two preteen boys he met on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady, which he directed and acted in. According to a police affidavit, the boys said Busfield touched them inappropriately, masking the contact as play.
In a video statement to TMZ, Busfield denied the allegations, calling them lies. He said he drove 2,000 miles to surrender after hiring an attorney. The affidavit notes that Busfield has faced sexual assault accusations twice before, including a 1994 case involving a 17-year-old extra on Little Big League, which was settled privately.
Warner Bros, which produced The Cleaning Lady, conducted its own investigation but could not corroborate the allegations. Busfield is best known for roles in The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, for which he won an Emmy in 1991.
