Federal authorities forced their way into the upstate New York home of actor Timothy Busfield on Tuesday after he surrendered to police in New Mexico in a sweeping child sex abuse case that has drawn national attention.
Busfield, 68, known for roles in The West Wing and Thirtysomething, turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department on Jan. 13 to face charges alleging he inappropriately touched two minor boys while directing the Fox series The Cleaning Lady. Prosecutors have charged him with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.
According to reports in the New York Post and Daily Mail, less than an hour after Busfield surrendered, at least 10 heavily armed U.S. Marshals agents from the New York regional fugitive task force arrived at the couple’s residence in Highland Lake, N.Y., near the Pennsylvania border. Wearing helmets and carrying rifles, the officers used a battering ram to break through the front door and conduct a search of the property.
Authorities scoured the house for about 10 minutes before moving to inspect an RV parked on the grounds and an outhouse. Nothing was seized, and no one was present at the residence at the time. The dramatic entry came as part of efforts to secure the actor’s cooperation with federal authorities after months of investigation and the issuance of a warrant last week.
The federal search heightened scrutiny of the case, which centers on allegations that Busfield engaged in inappropriate contact with 11-year-old twin boys who worked as child actors on The Cleaning Lady. According to the arrest warrant, the alleged conduct occurred between 2022 and 2024, with one child later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.
Busfield has vehemently denied the allegations, issuing a video statement before his surrender asserting that he “did not do anything wrong” and describing the accusations as “lies.” His legal team said the claims may be motivated by resentment after the children were cut from the show’s final season.
The allegations first came to light in late 2024, when a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported concerns to police. Investigators expanded their probe throughout 2025, leading to the arrest warrant issued Jan. 9.
Melissa Gilbert, 61, Busfield’s wife and a former SAG president best known for starring on Little House on the Prairie, was reportedly present on speakerphone with Busfield during a police interview in late 2025 as part of the initial investigation, according to court documents, which noted that the couple had a social relationship with the boys and their family prior to the allegations coming to light.
Gilbert has publicly expressed her support for her husband while following legal counsel in limiting her own comments.
“Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time,” a representative for Gilbert says in a statement. “Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online — including AI-generated deepfakes of her ‘breaking her silence’ should not be treated as coming from her. She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.
“During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected,” the statement reads.
Busfield and Gilbert have a blended family consisting of five children from previous marriages. The children are in their 30s to early 40s. The couple has eight grandchildren.
Gilbert’s Modern Prairie lifestyle brand, meanwhile, has canceled an “Ask Melissa Anything” virtual Q&A scheduled for Jan. 16, according to an email sent to subscribers.
“Due to an unexpected scheduling change, Melissa will not be available, and the event has been canceled,” the correspondence reads. “We know many of you were looking forward to gathering together, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we respect Melissa’s need for privacy and space.”
The case has triggered industry responses. NBC shelved an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that featured Busfield after the charges were filed. Warner Bros., which produced The Cleaning Lady, said it takes allegations of misconduct seriously and cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation.
Busfield’s first court appearance in New Mexico is scheduled for Wednesday, where prosecutors are expected to seek that he remain in custody pending trial. Defense lawyers have signaled they will contest the charges aggressively.
Read the full article here
