Actor Timothy Busfield indicted on child sexual contact charges

The 'Cleaning Lady' director faces 4 counts in New Mexico

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

A New Mexico grand jury has indicted actor Timothy Busfield on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. The indictment was filed after authorities issued an arrest warrant for Busfield over allegations of misconduct tied to when he was working as a director on the TV series 'The Cleaning Lady.' Busfield has denied the allegations and plans to fight the charges.

Why it matters

This case involves serious allegations of sexual abuse against a minor, which are deeply concerning and will likely have significant legal and reputational consequences for Busfield if proven true. The entertainment industry has faced increased scrutiny in recent years over issues of sexual misconduct, making this a high-profile case that could impact public trust.

The details

According to the indictment, the alleged incidents of criminal sexual contact with a child occurred while Busfield was working as a director on the set of the TV series 'The Cleaning Lady' in New Mexico. Authorities have not provided additional details about the nature of the allegations or the identity of the alleged victim.

  • The grand jury indictment was filed on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Timothy Busfield

An American actor known for his roles in TV shows like 'The West Wing' and films like 'Field of Dreams.' He was working as a director on the set of 'The Cleaning Lady' when the alleged incidents occurred.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Busfield to be released on bail while he awaits trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges the entertainment industry faces in addressing allegations of sexual misconduct, and the need for robust safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals on production sets.