Veteran actor Timothy Busfield has firmly denied a series of child sexual abuse allegations, as his legal team battles for his release from jail and colleagues rally to his defence. The 68-year-old star, known for roles in The West Wing and Field of Dreams, surrendered to authorities in Albuquerque on 13 January 2026.
New Allegations and Arrest Details
Busfield turned himself in four days after an arrest warrant was issued, charging him with two counts of criminal sexual contact and child abuse. These initial charges relate to alleged incidents involving two young boys while he worked on the set of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady. Prosecutors have since revealed a new allegation, claiming the actor groped a 16-year-old girl during an audition at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, which he founded.
Following his surrender, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bergman and Deputy DA Savannah Brandenburg-Koch filed a motion to keep Busfield detained before trial. They cited the new accusation from the teenage girl's father, who came forward on 13 January. The court filing states the girl alleged Busfield "kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates" several years ago.
Legal Battle and Support from Colleagues
Busfield's lawyer, Larry Stein, has vehemently denied all accusations. In a statement, Stein asserted the actor passed an independent polygraph examination regarding the initial allegations. He suggested the claims from the two boys were motivated by their mother's desire for revenge after they were not cast in the final season of The Cleaning Lady.
On 16 January, Busfield's legal team submitted documents opposing the prosecution's motion for pre-trial detention. They argued his voluntary surrender should not be construed as evidence of dangerousness. The filing included letters of support from his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, as well as from director Edward Zwick and former thirtysomething co-stars including Peter Horton and Patricia Wettig.
"Timothy is my friend, so no doubt I'm biased," Wettig wrote, according to court documents. "But I know him well... and I know in the very bottom of my heart that Timothy would never do anything to cruelly exploit or harm anyone, let alone a child."
Professional Fallout and Potential Consequences
The allegations have triggered significant professional repercussions for Busfield. His longtime agents at Innovative Artists have reportedly dropped him from their client roster. Furthermore, Law & Order: SVU pulled an episode he was scheduled to guest star in.
Busfield, who is married to Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, declared his innocence in a video statement before his arrest, saying, "I did not do anything to those little boys." He did not enter a plea during his first court appearance on 14 January. If convicted on the charges he faces, the actor could be sentenced to years in prison.
Prosecutors have expressed confidence in their case, stating they believe they can prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The actor remains in custody at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center as the legal proceedings continue.
