Timothy Busfield surrenders in New Mexico amid child abuse charges

People reports that Timothy Busfield, who is Melissa Gilbert's husband, voluntarily surrendered to police in Albuquerque on Jan. 13 and is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse over allegations he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys.

His civil attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, said, "Tim voluntarily appeared before New Mexico authorities after traveling across the country to confront these false and deeply troubling allegations," and called the accusations a "calculated effort" motivated by revenge after a child actor was cut from the FOX series The Cleaning Lady. The arrest warrant states the parents said the boys met Busfield on the show's set after he joined as a director in season 2 (which aired in 2022). Christina McGovern, the independent outside investigator retained by Warner Bros. Television, said she found "no corroborating evidence" that Busfield engaged in inappropriate conduct or was ever alone with the twins on set.

Busfield denied the claims in a video obtained by TMZ, saying, "I did not do anything wrong," and his attorney says he is determined to clear his name. Gilbert's representative said she would not be making public statements at this time and that she "stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time." The criminal case remains pending.

Key Topics

Culture, Timothy Busfield, Melissa Gilbert, Warner Bros. Television, Albuquerque Police Department, Christina Mcgovern