The search for actor Timothy Busfield has taken a serious turn. He is now wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service after facing allegations of child sex abuse in New Mexico. According to the Albuquerque Police Department, they’re collaborating with federal authorities to find him and bring him into custody.
Recently, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Busfield, who is 68. He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. The accusations involve two young actors, brothers, who were allegedly abused on the set of the Fox show “The Cleaning Lady.”
The allegations state that during his time as a director on the series, Busfield is accused of inappropriately touching one of the boys. According to court documents, this started when the child was just 7 years old. The boy has experienced issues like PTSD and anxiety, linked to these traumatic events.
The investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor alerted authorities about the children’s claims. It included interviews with the boys, their healthcare providers, and staff from “The Cleaning Lady.” There were discussions with Busfield and his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert. He suggested that the boys’ mother might have ulterior motives for coming forward.
Fox has since canceled “The Cleaning Lady” after four seasons. As details surrounding her husband’s allegations emerged, Gilbert deleted her social media accounts.
In addition, this is not the first time claims have surfaced against Busfield. In the 1990s, he was sued for sexual assault. He recently appeared in an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which NBC has decided not to air.
This situation highlights broader concerns about the safety and wellbeing of young actors in Hollywood. A 2021 survey by the Screen Actors Guild revealed that nearly 60% of child actors reported feeling unsafe at work.
As society continues to discuss these issues, many are calling for stronger protections for young performers. With high-profile cases like this, it becomes clear that awareness and action are desperately needed.
For more on child protection in the industry, check out this report by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
