West Wing actor Timothy Busfield faces arrest warrant on child sex abuse allegations

Veteran actor and director Timothy Busfield, best known for his role on The West Wing, is facing an arrest warrant issued by the Albuquerque Police Department in connection with alleged child sexual abuse, according to authorities and court documents.

The warrant charges Busfield, 68, with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The allegations are tied to incidents that reportedly occurred while he was working as a director on the television series The Cleaning Lady.

Authorities allege the incidents involved two 11-year-old siblings who were employed as child actors on the series. One of the minors reportedly told investigators that inappropriate contact began when he was as young as seven years old, with multiple alleged incidents occurring over time.

The investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital notified police of possible abuse. According to investigators, the children’s parents said Busfield became increasingly close to the boys after joining the production and encouraged them to refer to him as “Uncle Tim.”

Court documents state that the parents sought professional help after hearing concerning information, leading to further disclosures. One of the children’s therapists reportedly diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, citing nightmares and behavioral changes following the alleged abuse.

Busfield has denied the allegations. During a police interview, he reportedly acknowledged engaging in what he described as playful physical contact but denied any sexual intent or wrongdoing. Representatives for Busfield and the show’s production have not issued public statements regarding the case.

The arrest warrant affidavit also references prior concerns about Busfield’s behavior and outlines changes in on-set supervision practices after his arrival. As of the latest reports, it was unclear whether Busfield had been taken into custody.

The case remains under investigation, and additional legal proceedings are expected as authorities move forward with the charges.