Timothy Busfield has been indicted on four counts of child sexual abuse by a Bernalillo County grand jury.
“As with all criminal proceedings, Mr. Busfield is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This case will proceed through the judicial process and is expected to move forward to trial,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
The actor-turned-director is accused of inappropriately touching two boys on the set of the former Fox series The Cleaning Lady.
Timothy’s lawyer, Larry Stein, said in a statement, given to HELLO!: “The indictment was not unexpected. As the saying goes, a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich. What is deeply concerning is that the District Attorney is choosing to proceed on a case that is fundamentally unsound and cannot be proven at trial.
“The detention hearing exposed fatal weaknesses in the State’s evidence — gaps that no amount of charging decisions can cure. This prosecution appears driven by something other than the facts or the law. Mr. Busfield will fight these charges at every stage and looks forward to testing the State’s case in open court — where evidence matters — not behind closed doors.”
© AFP via Getty ImagesOn January 13, 2026 Timothy, known for his work in Thirtysomething and The West Wing, turned himself in to authorities after the Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant on January 9, alleging he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old boys.
The police affidavit details an investigation of alleged sexual abuse of twin boys, now 11, during the filming of the TV show The Cleaning Lady while Timothy served as a director of the second season.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesThe investigation begun in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital raised the alarm about the alleged abuse.
The affidavit details how Timothy has denied these claims and alleged that the boys’ mother “wanted revenge” for replacing her sons with other actors on the show.
Timothy has denied all the allegations.
© Getty Images“They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys, and I’m gonna fight it,” he said on January 13. “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.”
The production company, Warner Bros. Television, released a statement after the arrest warrant was issued, assuring that it was taking all necessary measures to protect its staff.
“The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions,” the statement read. “We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action. We are aware of the current charges against Mr. Busfield and have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.”
© Getty ImagesTimothy’s wife, Little House on the Prairie alum Melissa Gilbert, has appeared to stand by her husband, and in late January confirmed her support in a statement shared via her company Modern Prairie.
“I’m sending you all my love and gratitude during this extraordinarily difficult time,” she wrote, adding: “Not only for Tim, me and our family, but in the collective heaviness so many of us seem to be carrying right now. Add an unexpected storm to the mix, and it can all feel like a bit too much.”
“This season has reminded me, very clearly, how important it is to slow down, prioritize what truly matters, and allow ourselves moments of rest,” she continued.
“Stepping back from the noise, the news, and even our daily responsibilities from time to time gives us space to recharge, reflect, and find our center again.”
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