Former West Wing star Timothy Busfield indicted on four counts of sexual contact with a child by grand jury

Timothy Busfield has been indicted on four counts of sexual contact with a child by grand jury in New Mexico.

Busfield, 68, is accused of touching two children on the set of The Cleaning Lady while filming in Albuquerque between November 2022 and spring 2024.

One of the alleged victims told a forensic child interviewer that Busfield touched his ‘private areas’ on set when he was seven years old, according to a criminal complaint obtained by KRQE. 

The boy alleged the abuse happened five or six times between sets.

He claimed Busfield assaulted him again when he was eight years old, claiming it happened three or four times.

The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but he did not specify where and didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble, the complaint said. 

The charges come less than a month after Busfield was arrested for alleged child abuse and criminal sexual contact of a minor.

Busfield has denied the allegations. His attorneys have also argued the allegations are part of a revenge plot manufactured by the boys’ parents after the children lost their roles in the TV series.

The charges were brought against the star by a grand jury in Bernalillo County, the district attorney announced Friday.

The case will be prosecuted by Special Victims Unit of the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, the DA said.

DA Sam Bregman has vowed to do ‘everything possible to protect children and ensure justice for victims’.

Busfield’s case is expected to move forward to trial, Bregman’s office added.

Busfield was arrested last month on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse while working as a director on The Cleaning Lady set. 

He was booked jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest in New Mexico and he turned himself in. 

According to the criminal complaint, one of the boys disclosed that he was inappropriately touched by Busfield during a therapy session. Those records were obtained by police during the investigation.

In a video shared before turning himself in, Busfield called the allegations lies. 

‘I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys, and I’m going to fight it,’ the actor said. 

But Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, during Busfield’s court hearing on January 20, called evidence of abuse against him ‘strong and specific’. 

Brandenburg-Koch also said witnesses expressed fear about potential retaliation and professional harm.

‘The boys’ allegations are supported by medical findings and by their therapist,’ the ADA said. ‘Their accounts were specific and not exaggerated.’

Busfield’s attorneys, however, pointed out that the children initially said during interviews with police that the actor didn’t touch them inappropriately. 

The defense then accused the boys’ parents of coaching their children toward incriminating statements after the boys lost lucrative roles on the show.

Alan Caudillo, director of photography on The Cleaning Lady, testified that children on set were never left alone with individuals, and that the parents were the ones who encouraged hugs with adults on the set.

Busfield has submitted letters vouching for his character, and his attorneys say he passed an independent polygraph test.

Legal experts say New Mexico is among a few states that allow polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but a judge has final say over whether one can be used. There are strict requirements for admission in court.

Busfield, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, is known for appearances in The West Wing, Field of Dreams and Thirtysomething.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.