Timothy Busfield, known for his roles in “Thirtysomething” and “The West Wing,” is currently incarcerated in New Mexico, facing serious allegations of child sexual abuse involving two boys on the set of the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady.” These charges surfaced following an arrest warrant issued after police conducted a raid on his New York residence. He is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse, all linked to incidents purportedly occurring from late 2022 to early 2024.
The allegations involve twin boys, referred to in court documents as VL and SL, who claim Busfield, while directing on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” engaged in inappropriate contact with them, including touching their private parts. Parents of the boys have alleged that they were initially able to monitor the set’s activities but lost that capability when Busfield commenced work. Reports from police interviews suggest that the boys lacked adequate adult supervision during crucial times.
Interestingly, the recent charges are exacerbated by multiple older allegations of sexual misconduct stretching back decades. In the 1990s, Busfield faced accusations regarding an incident in which a 17-year-old girl claimed he had assaulted her while she worked as an extra on the set of “Little Big League.” Another accusation from 2001 highlights an alleged incident involving a 16-year-old girl auditioning at Busfield’s theater, where he purportedly initiated inappropriate physical contact.
Despite these accusations, an internal investigation by Warner Bros. following an anonymous complaint last year cleared Busfield of any wrongdoing. According to the lead investigator, no corroborating evidence was found to substantiate the claims during their inquiry, which included corroborations from multiple witnesses.
Busfield’s defense attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, has firmly stated that his client is innocent and is committed to proving his innocence. Meanwhile, his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has chosen to remain supportive during this challenging time, prioritizing privacy as the legal proceedings unfold.
The serious nature of the charges against Busfield not only poses significant consequences for him personally and professionally, but they also signal a critical moment in the ongoing conversation surrounding accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals in the entertainment industry. The outcomes of these allegations will likely have lasting implications, reflecting society’s growing demand for justice in cases of abuse.