News | Entertainment
20 Jan 2026 5:54
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Timothy Busfield has insisted the child sexual abuse allegations against him are "all lies"

    The former West Wing actor has turned himself into police after a warrant was issued for his arrest over two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse after it was alleged he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old siblings.


    Gilbert Gallegos, Director of Communications for Albuquerque Police Department confirmed in a statement: "Timothy Busfield has turned himself in at the Metro Detention Center. He will be booked on his warrant."

    Shortly before his arrest, the 68-year-old star - who is married to Melissa Gilbert - insisted he "did not do anything wrong."

    He said in a video obtained by TMZ: "I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I'm gonna confront these lies. They're horrible.

    "They're all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies."

    And his attorney also branded the claims "false and deeply troubling".

    Stanton 'Larry' Stein said in a statement: "Tim voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities after traveling across the country to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations."

    An investigation opened on 1 November, 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) alerted police, and the victims' parents told officer Marvin Kirk Brown, who issued the arrest warrant, that the children had met the actor on the set of The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield was a director.

    The children's parents claimed Busfield "grew closer to the boys" when he joined the FOX series, which ran from January 2022 until June last year.

    The warrant stated: "It was reported that Timothy would tell his children to call him 'Uncle Tim.' "

    The parents told police that "they both discovered that there were allegations against Timothy of sexual assault against both women and minors."

    After the father was told "there had been multiple rumours that Timothy had been 'handsy' with women," the siblings' mother quizzed her sons as to whether anyone had ever touched them in a manner that made them feel uncomfortable."

    The warrant continued: "The children allegedly responded by asking, 'You mean like Uncle Tim?' "

    An attorney advised the couple to take the children to UNMH, where professionals suggested the boys had been "groomed", and while they hadn't disclosed any sexual contact at that time, both claimed Busfield "would tickle them on the stomach and legs."

    It was determined at that time that the case didn't meet their acceptance criteria, but on 3 October, 2025, the mother filed a police report and told Child Protective Services "her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024."

    However, the warrant stated she was told that because physical abuse had not occurred, nothing could be done.

    Busfield allegedly told police the parents were upset their sons had been replaced by a younger actor and shortly afterwards, he received a call informing him Warner Bros. were investigating a complaint.

    He also claimed an actress on the show that the mother "wanted revenge".

    Asked by cops if he had ever picked up or tickled the boys, Busfield allegedly admitted it was "highly likely that he would have" because he wanted "a playful environment."

    He added of touching on set: "It's not allowed at all.

    "There is no, there's no protocol. I mean, I'm always around people, right? It would be, you know, in front of the parents."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     19 Jan: Roger Allers, co-director of The Lion King, dies aged 76
     18 Jan: Teddi Mellencamp is "really sick" - months after she revealed her cancer had become "undetectable"
     18 Jan: Ashton Kutcher is "so proud" of his ex-wife Demi Moore in The Substance
     18 Jan: Lo Bosworth has given birth two weeks early
     18 Jan: Chase Infiniti botched Leonardo DiCaprio's beard when she cut it whilst they bonded before shooting One Battle After Another
     18 Jan: A shark has been named after Kelly Clarkson
     18 Jan: Jennifer Lawrence's marriage is kept "alive" with a compromise to her struggle with timekeeping
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Don't be surprised if the coaching nous of Scott Robertson is lured to the UK More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Consumers could soon spot cocoa-free chocolate on shelves - as producers scramble to find cheaper alternatives More...



     Today's News

    Lower South Island:
    Tour of Southland race leader Tom Sexton has detailed his season goals on the bike after winning the second stage of the event which was postponed from November to January 5:37

    Politics:
    Donald Trump tells Norway's PM he no longer feels obligation to think only of peace 4:37

    Law and Order:
    A search for answers - after a body was found on the rocks at a beach on Auckland's North Shore 4:37

    International:
    Tensions over Greenland escalate as US threatens tariffs after European troop deployment 21:27

    Business:
    Consumers could soon spot cocoa-free chocolate on shelves - as producers scramble to find cheaper alternatives 21:17

    International:
    At least 39 dead after two high-speed trains derailed in Spain 20:17

    International:
    What has caused a 'smack' of jellyfish to wash up on Melbourne's eastern beaches? 19:37

    Business:
    A word of caution as calls grow to fund weight-management drugs 18:57

    Motoring:
    Tired legs have caught up with New Zealand cyclist Ally Wollaston in the Tour Down Under 18:37

    Business:
    Chocolate products could be in for a shake up - as manufacturers race to develop cocoa alternatives 18:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd