Prosecutors in New Mexico are pushing to keep actor and director Timothy Busfield in custody without bond amid child sex abuse charges stemming from incidents on the set of "The Cleaning Lady." New court documents detail allegations of inappropriate touching of child actors and reveal a fresh accusation from another alleged victim's father. The filings portray Busfield as a potential danger to children based on a pattern of alleged misconduct.
Timothy Busfield, known for roles in films like "Field of Dreams" and directing episodes of television shows, faces serious child sex abuse charges in New Mexico. The allegations center on events during the 2022 filming of the Fox series "The Cleaning Lady" in the state, where Busfield served as a director.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, prosecutors argue that Busfield should remain detained without bond, describing him as a "child predator who poses a danger to any kid who gets near him." One alleged victim, a child actor, claims Busfield repeatedly touched his penis and buttocks over clothing while they were alone on set, often with the boy lying on a bed. These claims are supported by therapy records noting diagnoses of PTSD and anxiety, medical documentation of grooming and sexual abuse concerns, and observed behavioral changes such as nightmares, bed-wetting, withdrawal, and fear. Independent witnesses have described Busfield as "touchy" and physically inappropriate.
Busfield admitted to tickling and touching the children involved and maintaining off-set social relationships with them and their families, though he told police he "didn't really know the boys." The boy's twin brother independently reported unwanted touching, corroborating a pattern of inappropriate contact. Prosecutors highlight how Busfield encouraged the boys to call him "Uncle Tim," bought them gifts, socialized outside work, and exploited the chaotic filming environment to isolate them—behaviors they say align with recognized grooming in child sex abuse cases.
A new development emerged on January 13, 2025, when the father of another alleged victim reported to law enforcement that Busfield sexually abused his then-16-year-old daughter years ago in Sacramento, California. During a theater audition, Busfield allegedly kissed her and slipped his hands down her pants, touching her vagina. He reportedly begged the family—a therapist father among them—not to report it if he sought therapy, which they initially agreed to.
The documents also reference Busfield's prior history. In 1994, a 17-year-old extra on the set of the film "Little Big League" sued him in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging assault, serving alcohol, groping, and attempted sex in a trailer. Busfield denied the claims, countersued for extortion, and the matter settled privately. In 2012, a 28-year-old woman accused him of battery in a Los Angeles movie theater, claiming he touched her genitals under her clothes for four minutes; police took a report, but prosecutors declined charges, and Busfield described it as consensual.
Additionally, Warner Bros. investigated Busfield in February 2024 following an anonymous SAG-AFTRA hotline complaint about him entering a trailer on "The Cleaning Lady" set and kissing a 6-year-old boy on the face during a haircut. The complaint alleged photos showed him "tickling and caressing the head and bodies of minor boys, obviously drunk."
Prosecutors conclude that Busfield "poses an ongoing and serious danger to children and the community," citing a "documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and grooming behavior." Busfield appeared in court on the charges and will be held without bond as the case proceeds.
