Actor Timothy Busfield Held in Jail as Court Weighs Serious Abuse Allegations

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Hollywood actor Timothy Busfield has been detained without bail following his arrest in New Mexico over multiple allegations of sexual abuse involving minors.

The 68-year-old star, known for his work in Thirtysomething and The West Wing, turned himself in to authorities in Albuquerque on Wednesday. He has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.

According to court records, the charges are tied to incidents allegedly linked to the set of the Fox television series The Cleaning Lady. Prosecutors say the parents of two young boys accused Busfield of grooming and abusing their sons over a prolonged period.

The children reportedly referred to the actor as “Uncle Tim” and alleged that what began as seemingly innocent physical contact, such as tickling, later progressed to inappropriate touching. One of the boys told investigators that the alleged abuse began when he was seven years old.

Legal filings presented in court detailed the emotional and psychological impact on the children. One of the alleged victims was said to be experiencing recurring nightmares, bedwetting, and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The child reportedly said fear prevented him from speaking out sooner.

In addition to the New Mexico case, prosecutors referenced a separate accusation involving a 16-year-old girl, who alleged that Busfield kissed and groped her “several years ago” at the B-Street Theatre in California. Citing both cases, the prosecution argued that Busfield’s continued detention was necessary due to a “documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming behaviour.”

Busfield, however, has strongly denied the accusations. His attorney, Stanton Stein, described the New Mexico allegations as a “calculated effort,” claiming they were motivated by retaliation after one of the boys was dismissed from the television production. Stein also pointed to a previous Warner Bros. investigation that was closed for lack of evidence.

On the California allegation, Stein said the actor had passed a polygraph test related to that claim.

Busfield has faced past accusations, including separate claims of sexual assault made by two women in the 1990s and in 2012.

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman confirmed at a media briefing that Busfield appeared in court on Wednesday, after which a judge ordered him held in custody. A bail hearing has been scheduled for January 20.

Both Warner Bros. Television and Fox have acknowledged the situation, stating that they are aware of the charges and will cooperate with law enforcement as probes proceed.

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