Timothy Busfield, the 68-year-old actor renowned for his role as Danny Concannon on *The West Wing*, has been charged with serious allegations of child sexual abuse. He faces two counts of criminal sexual contact with minors and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from an investigation initiated by the Albuquerque Police Department, which claims Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old twins, with one child alleging that inappropriate behavior began when he was just 7 years old.
The allegations came to light on November 1, 2024, when a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted local authorities about suspected sexual abuse. According to an arrest warrant obtained by People magazine, the victims’ parents reported that the boys, who were child actors, met Busfield on the set of the Fox series *The Cleaning Lady*, where he directed. The warrant indicates that Busfield developed a close relationship with the children during the show’s run from 2022 until 2025.
As detailed in the warrant, Busfield allegedly instructed the children to refer to him as “Uncle Tim.” The boys’ parents became concerned after hearing allegations of inappropriate behavior from other parents involved in the production. Following their inquiries, the parents asked their sons if anyone had ever made them feel uncomfortable, to which the children responded, “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
The family sought advice from a lawyer who recommended that the boys be examined at UNMH. Medical professionals suggested that the children might have been groomed, although at that time they did not disclose any explicit sexual contact. They did, however, mention that Busfield would tickle them on their stomachs and legs.
On October 3, 2025, the situation escalated when the boys’ mother filed a police report and informed Child Protective Services that they had disclosed incidents of sexual abuse by Busfield occurring between November 2022 and Spring 2024. One child reportedly confided in his counselor about inappropriate touching, claiming that Busfield had touched him inappropriately multiple times. The therapist diagnosed the child with moderate post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, attributing these issues to the alleged incidents.
The arrest warrant further stated that the children expressed fear of reporting the abuse, worried that Busfield might retaliate due to his position as a director. The mother noted that prior to Busfield’s involvement, crew members would provide iPads to parents on set, allowing them to supervise their children. This practice ceased after Busfield was hired.
As the investigation unfolded, Busfield allegedly acknowledged to police that he was aware of complaints against him involving the twins. He also claimed that the children’s mother sought revenge against him. When questioned about his interactions with the boys, Busfield admitted it was “highly likely” he would have tickled or picked them up in a playful manner, asserting that he aimed to create a fun environment on set.
In the course of the investigation, a production assistant revealed that one of the alleged victims was often left unsupervised on set, raising concerns about the potential for inappropriate encounters. An officer involved in the investigation noted that Busfield had opportunities to be alone with the children, including instances when they were lying on a bed on the set.
The internal investigation by Warner Bros. yielded troubling claims, including a report of an incident in a hair and makeup trailer, where Busfield allegedly kissed a minor on the face while the child was getting a haircut in December 2024.
The warrant highlights concerns articulated by law enforcement officials, who indicated that individuals in trusted roles often exploit their positions to engage in predatory behavior. They noted that Busfield’s attempts to build rapport with the families and foster friendships, including giving gifts, could be seen as classic grooming tactics aimed at weakening boundaries and silencing potential complaints.
Interestingly, the warrant also references prior sexual assault allegations against Busfield dating back to 1994. As of now, Timothy Busfield has not publicly responded to the charges against him. The legal proceedings and further developments in this case are expected to draw significant attention as it unfolds.
