Timothy Busfield turns himself in after New Mexico arrest warrant

Movieweb reports former West Wing star Timothy Busfield turned himself in to authorities several days after New Mexico police issued a warrant for his arrest amid child sex abuse allegations. According to the warrant obtained by Us Weekly, Busfield, 68, was wanted on two counts of criminal misconduct against a minor in connection with claims that he allegedly inappropriately touched two twin boys several times over a period of two to three years while working as a director on Fox's The Cleaning Lady.

The legal document stated he was accused of picking the boys up, touching "private areas," and tickling them, and that one child had allegedly been "afraid" to tell anyone "because Tim was the director, and he feared Tim would get mad at him." Shortly before surrendering, a video taken at his attorney's office and obtained by TMZ showed Busfield saying he planned to "confront these lies" and insisting he "did not do anything to those little boys," adding, "I'm gonna fight it" and that he expects to be exonerated.

His wife, Melissa Gilbert, is described by her representative to Us as focused on "caring" for their family as they "navigate this moment," and the rep said she "stands with and supports her husband" and will address the public at an appropriate time. Warner Bros. said it would continue to "cooperate" with law enforcement and emphasized the safety of cast and crew, especially minors.

Key Topics

Culture, Timothy Busfield, Melissa Gilbert, Warner Bros, Child Sex Abuse