Timothy Busfield Charged Following Allegations Involving Child Actors
In a sobering development that has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, actor and director Timothy Busfield—best known for his role as Danny Concannon on The West Wing—is facing serious criminal allegations in New Mexico. According to an arrest warrant issued by the Albuquerque Police Department and obtained on Friday, January 9, Busfield, 68, has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
The warrant alleges that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct involving two siblings, both 11 years old at the time of the alleged incidents. The identities of the minors have been withheld to protect their privacy. One of the children reportedly told authorities that the alleged behavior began when he was just seven years old, adding a deeply troubling dimension to the case.
The investigation was initiated on November 1, 2024, after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) contacted law enforcement with concerns of potential sexual abuse. The report prompted an inquiry led by Albuquerque Police officer Marvin Kirk Brown, who later issued the arrest warrant.
According to statements included in the warrant, the children’s parents told police that their sons were child actors who met Busfield while working on the FOX television series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director. The show aired from January 2022 through June 2025, and the parents allege that Busfield became increasingly close to the boys after joining the production.
The warrant claims Busfield encouraged the children to refer to him as “Uncle Tim,” a detail that investigators note in the broader context of alleged grooming behavior. The parents reportedly told police they later learned of prior allegations and rumors involving Busfield, including claims that he had been “handsy” with women and that there were allegations involving both adult women and minors.
According to the warrant, after the father became aware of these rumors, the children’s mother asked her sons—then 11 years old—whether anyone had ever touched them in a way that made them uncomfortable. The boys allegedly replied, “You mean like Uncle Tim?” This response led the parents to seek legal advice and subsequently bring the children to UNMH for evaluation.
Medical professionals at UNMH reportedly suggested that the children may have been groomed. Officer Brown noted in the warrant that, at the time of the report, the siblings had not disclosed explicit sexual contact. However, both children allegedly stated that Busfield would tickle them on their stomachs and legs, behavior authorities are assessing within the broader context of the allegations.
Representatives for FOX did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As the case unfolds, it underscores a growing reckoning within the entertainment industry—one that demands accountability, vigilance, and the prioritization of child safety above all else.
