Timothy Busfield is facing two counts of sexual abuse involving a minor.
According to Variety, an arrest warrant was issued by authorities in New Mexico on Friday, January 9 after a child actor alleged the actor and director touched him inappropriately.
An Albuquerque Police Department affidavit, which was seen by Us Weekly on Friday, was filed by an investigator to support the charges.
Per the legal documents, the alleged assault involved a child actor and took place on the set of TV series The Cleaning Lady. Busfield directed the series while the accuser and his twin brother were child actors on the project, which aired on Fox from 2022 to 2025.
In the complaint, the child involved said the first incident of inappropriate touching of his “private areas” occurred when the minor was 7-years-old. The child accused Busfield of touching him three or four times, per the documents.
When the child was 8, Busfield allegedly touched him five or six times during a separate incident.
According to the affidavit, the boy was “very afraid of Tim and was relieved when he was off set.”
The boy also stated he “was afraid to tell anyone because Tim was the director, and he feared Tim would get mad at him.”
The child’s mother reported to Child Protective Services that the alleged abuse occurred between late 2022 and the second half of 2024, the complaint said.
According to the legal document, the child has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety since the incidents.
The document also stated that the West Wing actor spoke to police via phone regarding the accusations against him in November 2025 and was asked if he had any “physical contact” with the children, such as picking them up or tickling them.
“Timothy said it was highly likely that he would have,” the affidavit stated, adding that Busfield described the set as a “playful environment.” The document said that Busfield added that there “would never be a weird moment about it” and that any contact would be “in front of the parents.”
The Emmy award winner later added during the police conversation that he did not specifically recall picking up the boys at any time.
“I don’t remember those boys,” he said, per the affidavit. “No, I don’t. I don’t actually, I don’t remember it, if it happened. I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for me.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Busfield’s representatives for comment.
The Cleaning Lady, which starred Elodie Yung, aired for four seasons on Fox before it came to an end in 2025.
Yung portrayed a Cambodian doctor in the series. The show followed her character after she came to the U.S. seeking medical treatment for her son, only to end up witnessing a mob killing. The doctor then became a cleaner for organized crime.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
