Actor and director Timothy Busfield, husband of Melissa Gilbert and known for The West Wing, is facing criminal charges involving alleged sexual contact with minors. Here is a detailed breakdown of the case, investigation, and responses.
Actor and director Timothy Busfield, best known for his role as Danny Concannon on The West Wing, is facing serious criminal allegations involving minors, according to an arrest warrant issued by the Albuquerque Police Department. The warrant, obtained by PEOPLE on January 9, outlines two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse against the 68-year-old entertainment veteran.
Busfield, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old boys who are related. Authorities have withheld the identities of the minors due to their age. According to the warrant, one of the children alleged that the inappropriate behavior began when he was just seven years old.
How the Investigation Began
The investigation reportedly started on November 1, 2024, after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted law enforcement to potential sexual abuse. The children’s parents told police that their sons were child actors who met Busfield while working on the FOX television series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director.
The show aired from January 2022 through June 2025. According to the arrest warrant, the parents said Busfield gradually developed a closer relationship with the boys after joining the production. The document alleges that he encouraged the children to call him “Uncle Tim,” a detail investigators later described as part of potential grooming behavior.
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Allegations From the Children and Parents
Initially, the parents said their sons did not disclose explicit sexual contact, though they reported that Busfield would tickle them on their stomachs and legs. At the time, authorities determined the case did not meet acceptance criteria for prosecution.
However, the situation evolved in October 2025, when the children’s mother filed a formal police report and contacted Child Protective Services. She alleged that both boys disclosed sexual abuse occurring between November 2022 and spring 2024. According to the warrant, she was told that without evidence of physical abuse, no immediate action could be taken.
One of the children later told his counselor that Busfield had inappropriately touched him. When the child was 10 years old, his therapist diagnosed him with moderate post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The warrant states that the child experienced nightmares, bed-wetting, and behavioral changes following the alleged incidents.
The therapist reportedly told authorities that the child described Busfield touching and rubbing his penis multiple times and appearing ashamed afterward. The child also said he was afraid to speak up because Busfield was the director and he feared consequences on set.
On-Set Environment and Alleged Opportunities
The warrant includes claims that standard safety practices on set may have changed after Busfield joined the production. The children’s mother alleged that parents were initially given iPads to monitor their children remotely during filming, but that this practice stopped once Busfield was hired.
Busfield allegedly told investigators that parents were unhappy after their sons were replaced by a younger actor and suggested the accusations were motivated by revenge. He also acknowledged that Warner Bros. informed him of complaints and that an outside firm conducted an internal investigation.
When questioned about physical contact, Busfield reportedly said it was “highly likely” he had tickled the boys in an effort to create a playful environment, but denied any inappropriate intent. He stated that touching was not allowed on set and claimed any interactions would have occurred in front of others.
Despite this, investigators noted statements from production staff suggesting that one of the children was occasionally unsupervised. A production assistant reportedly described an incident in which the child rode a skateboard through a live set, raising concerns about oversight.
Internal Investigation and Additional Claims
According to the warrant, the internal investigation by Warner Bros. Television documented a claim from an individual who said they witnessed Busfield kiss a minor male on the face in a hair and makeup trailer in December 2024.
Officer Marvin Kirk Brown, who issued the warrant, wrote that in his professional experience, abusers often exploit trusted roles and chaotic environments to mask inappropriate behavior. He alleged that Busfield used social gatherings, gift-giving, and familiarity with the family to blur boundaries and delay detection.
The warrant also references prior sexual assault allegations involving Busfield dating back to 1994, though no additional details were provided in the document.
Industry Response
In a statement to PEOPLE, a representative for Warner Bros. Television emphasized that the safety of cast and crew, particularly minors, is a top priority. The company said it takes all allegations seriously and cooperates fully with law enforcement. Representatives for FOX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As of now, representatives for Busfield and Gilbert have also not issued public statements.
What Happens Next
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations outlined in the arrest warrant have not yet been proven in court. Busfield is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. However, the accusations have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, raising renewed questions about child safety, supervision, and accountability on television and film sets.
As the legal process unfolds, the case is likely to draw continued attention, particularly given Busfield’s long career and high-profile connections.