‘West Wing’ star Timothy Busfield charged with sexual abuse of child actors

Busfield is accused by prosecutors of sexually abusing underage boys on a television production set. According to a report by TMZ, a criminal complaint filed Friday in New Mexico charges him with child abuse and two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor under the age of 13. The charges stem from alleged acts that occurred on the set of the television series “The Cleaning Lady.”

One boy told police that Busfield touched him in his “private areas” on set after a scene ended when the child was seven years old. The boy alleged that Busfield did this five or six times between takes. Prosecutors also say the child was inappropriately touched multiple times when he was eight years old. A second child raised similar allegations, telling investigators that Busfield also touched him.

An arrest warrant filed by Albuquerque police states that Busfield told the alleged victims to call him “Uncle Tim.”

“(The mother) informed Officer Osborn that she had asked their children, VL and SL, who were eleven years old at the time, if anyone had ever touched them in a manner that made them feel uncomfortable,” the affidavit said. “The children responded by asking, ‘You mean like Uncle Tim?’”

At the time, the boys did not disclose sexual contact but said Busfield would “tickle them on their stomach and legs.” In October 2025, one parent reported to child protective services that her children disclosed sexual abuse by Busfield. One child told their therapist that Busfield had touched their “genitalia” and “bottom” multiple times.

Albuquerque police have reportedly been investigating him since November 2024 for alleged sexual abuse. Now, a warrant has been issued for his arrest, and law enforcement is looking for him with the expectation that he will surrender to police.