Timothy Busfield Indicted On Child Sex Abuse Charges

On January 20, 2026, the Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque, New Mexico, became the center of national attention as actor and director Timothy Busfield appeared for a pivotal hearing. Busfield, a native of East Lansing best known for his roles in The West Wing and Field of Dreams, now faces a far more somber chapter in his public life: a grand jury in New Mexico has indicted him on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. The charges, detailed in both court documents and reporting from The Hollywood Reporter and NBC News, have sent shockwaves through both the entertainment industry and the communities where Busfield once enjoyed widespread respect.

According to the Bernalillo County District Attorney, Sam Bregman, the charges stem from alleged incidents on the set of the Fox/Warner Bros. Television series The Cleaning Lady. Prosecutors allege that Busfield sexually abused two boys on two separate occasions—once in October 2022 and again in September 2023. A separate report from NBC News and WILX expands the timeline, indicating accusations of inappropriate touching on multiple occasions between November 2022 and spring 2024, all while Busfield was working as both director and actor on the show.

Each of the four counts Busfield faces is classified as a third-degree felony under New Mexico law. If convicted, each count carries a minimum sentence of three years, with no possibility of suspension or deferral. The gravity of these charges has not been lost on the local community or the broader public, especially given Busfield’s high-profile status and the sensitive nature of the allegations.

After a hearing in January 2026, Busfield was released from jail while he awaits trial. The judge’s order came despite prosecutors’ efforts to keep him detained, with arguments centered on the claim that Busfield poses an ongoing danger to the community. The conditions of his release are strict: he is prohibited from contacting the alleged victims or their families, discussing the case with potential witnesses, or having unsupervised contact with minors. As District Attorney Bregman emphasized, “protecting children remains a top priority for his office.”

Busfield has categorically denied the allegations against him. His defense team, led by attorney Amber Fayerberg, has argued that the accusations are motivated by personal grievances rather than genuine concern for justice. During last month’s hearing, Fayerberg asserted, “This entire criminal complaint is making good on that promise.” She elaborated on the defense’s position, claiming that the parents of the alleged victims were seeking retribution after their children were recast in the fourth season of The Cleaning Lady due to aging out of their roles. According to Fayerberg, the parents first sought a civil attorney in California, who then communicated with Warner Bros. Only after Warner Bros. concluded there was no substance to the allegations—and declined to offer any financial settlement—did the parents approach law enforcement.

The financial aspect of the case has also drawn attention. Alan Caudillo, The Cleaning Lady’s director of photography, testified that the victims and their parents were paid roughly $1.5 million for their participation in the show, or about $60,000 per episode. Caudillo also testified that he never witnessed Busfield engaging in inappropriate behavior with the children and described the victims’ father, Ronald Rodis, as “creepy” and “very aggressive.” These details have been seized upon by Busfield’s defense as evidence of ulterior motives behind the allegations.

Adding complexity to the proceedings is the fact that the initial reports to law enforcement were made by the victims’ therapist and doctor, not by the parents themselves. A Warner Bros. internal investigation reportedly found no evidence of misconduct, a finding that Busfield’s legal team has used to cast doubt on the accusations. Nevertheless, the special victim’s unit in New Mexico has taken over prosecution of the case, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are approaching the matter.

This is not the first time Busfield has faced allegations of sexual misconduct. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a 1994 incident involved a 17-year-old extra on the set of Little Big League, which Busfield directed. The extra accused him of serving her alcohol, groping her, and attempting to initiate sex in his trailer. In a separate 2012 incident, an adult woman alleged that Busfield assaulted her in a Los Angeles movie theater, claiming he slipped his hands under her clothes and touched her genitals. In both cases, law enforcement ultimately declined to pursue criminal charges due to insufficient evidence.

Following Busfield’s recent arrest, another report surfaced alleging an incident from approximately 25 years ago. The father of a 16-year-old girl claimed that Busfield groped his daughter during an audition at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California, a company Busfield co-founded and where he served as artistic director. According to a court filing, Busfield allegedly “kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates.” This historical allegation, while not resulting in criminal charges, adds to the pattern of accusations that now shadow Busfield’s career.

Throughout these developments, Busfield’s legal team has maintained a posture of vigorous denial. They have characterized the current charges as a culmination of personal vendettas and opportunism, rather than credible claims of abuse. The defense points to the lack of evidence found by Warner Bros. and the significant payments made to the victims’ families as factors that should cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.

Yet, for prosecutors and advocates for child safety, the seriousness of the allegations cannot be overstated. District Attorney Bregman has reiterated that the case will proceed through the judicial process, with a trial expected in the coming months. “As with all criminal proceedings, Mr. Busfield is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” Bregman stated, underscoring the fundamental principles of the justice system.

As the legal process unfolds, the case has reignited conversations about accountability in the entertainment industry and the responsibilities of those in positions of power. For many, the charges against Busfield are a stark reminder that fame and success offer no immunity from scrutiny or the law. The coming trial will not only determine Busfield’s legal fate but will also serve as a litmus test for how such allegations are handled when they involve high-profile figures.

For now, Busfield remains free under strict conditions, awaiting a trial that promises to be closely watched by both the public and the media. The outcome will have lasting implications, not only for the accused and the alleged victims but for the broader conversation about justice and trust in the worlds of entertainment and law.