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‘West Wing’ actor Timothy Busfield accused of child sex abuse in New Mexico

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‘West Wing’ actor Timothy Busfield accused of child sex abuse in New Mexico


New Mexico authorities have accused Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield, known for series “The West Wing” and “Thirtysomething,” of child sex abuse.

A judge on Friday issued an arrest warrant for the 68-year-old actor on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and a single count of child abuse. The arrest warrant affidavit, reviewed by The Times on Sunday, accuses Busfield of inappropriately touching two child actors, who are brothers, during his tenure on the Fox crime drama “The Cleaning Lady.”

“The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions,” Fox and Warner Bros. Television said in a statement shared Sunday. “We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action. … We are aware of the current charges against Mr. Busfield and have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.”

Busfield, who was an actor, producer and director for “The Cleaning Lady,” allegedly sexually assaulted of one of the young actors multiple times during his tenure. According to the affidavit, one child actor said Busfield first touched his “‘private areas’” multiple times on set when he was 7 years old. The actor said that when he was 8 years old, Busfield touched him inappropriately again several times. He was “afraid to tell anyone because Tim was the Director, and he feared Tim would get mad at him,” the affidavit said.

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The second child actor said that Busfield “started touching them for the first two years” of his time on “The Cleaning Lady,” which filmed in Albuquerque, according to the complaint. The investigator said both children said they did not speak out about their alleged encounters with Busfield out of fear or concern for him.

The actors’ mother, per the complaint, reported the alleged abuse to Child Protective Services in October 2025, claiming that Busfield sexually abused her children from November 2022 to spring 2024. Police began investigating the alleged abuse in November 2024 after receiving a request from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital.

According to the affidavit, the investigation also included interviews with the children’s therapists and doctors. One of the child actors, who disclosed the alleged abuse by Busfield to his therapist, has issues with bed-wetting “along with other behavior issues,” was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety and has suffered nightmares “about the director touching him,” according to the complaint.

The investigator also spoke to numerous cast and crew members of “The Cleaning Lady,” which was canceled in June after four seasons. The affidavit details the investigator’s conversations with production assistants, the studio teacher and Busfield.

Busfield, married to actor Melissa Gilbert, told the investigator that “Cleaning Lady” producer Warner Bros. Television notified him in the spring of 2025 of an investigation regarding complaints “about him from the boys.” When asked whether he had any physical contact with the two child actors, Busfield “said it was highly likely that he would have,” the complaint said. He suggested to the investigator that the boys’ mother might have sought “revenge” on the director for “not bringing her kids back for the final season,” according to the complaint.

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Though Busfield confirmed the identities of the young actors to the investigator in his interview, he allegedly said later, “ ‘I don’t remember those boys’ ” and “ ‘I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for me.’ ”

The complaint also details Warner Bros.’ investigation into Busfield’s alleged behavior. The studio started its investigation after receiving an anonymous tip in February 2025 from the SAG-AFTRA hotline regarding a December 2024 incident. Busfield allegedly entered the hair and makeup trailer and “kissed a minor male on the face as the minor was getting a haircut.” The complaint further alleged “there are pictures of Mr. Busfield, ‘tickling and caressing the head and body of minor boys.’ ”

Neither Fox or Warner Bros. immediately responded to a request for comment on Sunday, but a spokesperson for the latter told the New York Times it is “aware of the current charges against Mr. Busfield and have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.”

Busfield received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Elliot Weston in the ABC drama “Thirtysomething” in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. He also appeared in “Field of Dreams,” “Little Big League,” “The Byrds of Paradise” and other titles. He is perhaps best known for his recurring role in “The West Wing” as Danny Concannon, a White House correspondent who strikes up a relationship with Press Secretary C.J. Clegg, played by Allison Janney.

In addition to television and film, Busfield is a stage actor and director. In 1991, Busfield and his brother Buck Busfield created the B Street Theatre, a nonprofit theater in Sacramento that first began as a touring theater group for children. He also pitched for baseball team the Sacramento Smokeys and was inducted into the Sacramento Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.

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Prior to the allegations from his time on “The Cleaning Lady,” Busfield was accused in 1994 of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old actor who appeared on “Little Big League.” He denied those claims and sued his accuser for defamation. The case ended in a settlement, with a judge ordering Busfield to pay the woman $150,000.



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Winter storm set to hit New Mexico with snow and freezing temps Friday

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Winter storm set to hit New Mexico with snow and freezing temps Friday


New Mexico is experiencing calm weather, but a major winter storm is expected to bring widespread snow and dangerous travel conditions by Friday.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico is experiencing calm weather, but a major winter storm is expected to bring widespread snow and dangerous travel conditions by Friday.

Skies are cloudier today and tonight, but it will remain dry with chilly overnight temperatures. Thursday will be cloudy and calm, with highs near normal and breezes around 5 to 15 mph.

Late Thursday, very cold Arctic air will move south, reaching northeast New Mexico by late afternoon or evening. The Arctic cold front will push into eastern New Mexico, bringing much colder air before sunrise Friday.

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Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia shares all the details in his full forecast in the video above.

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New Mexico

Mother arrested in New Mexico for kidnapping attempt of an El Paso child

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Mother arrested in New Mexico for kidnapping attempt of an El Paso child


Authorities in Lincoln County, New Mexico, reported they thwarted the alleged kidnapping of an El Paso girl by her mother.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 14, deputies rescued a kidnapped girl after her mother had allegedly taken her out of school in El Paso, planning to take her away from the child’s father.

The Sheriff’s Office said they first received a report from the Otero County Sheriff’s Office that the victim of a potential kidnapping was being driven through Lincoln County.

Deputies then said they found the vehicle driving north on Highway 54, passing through the town of Carrizozo and were able to rescue the child and take the mother into custody.

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Deputies said that, according to the investigation, the mother of the child had “limited visitation.”

The Sheriff’s Office then reported the child was reunited with her father, thanks to the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Division.

KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to the El Paso Police Department to learn more about the case, as the alleged crimes happened in El Paso, and the case has been transferred to EPPD.

In a press release, Lincoln County Sheriff Michael T. Wood thanked his deputies, the Otero County Sheriff’s Office and the Carrizozo Police Department for their help in the rescue.

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New Mexico

Cold front to bring gusty winds to parts of New Mexico

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Cold front to bring gusty winds to parts of New Mexico


A cold front is moving into eastern New Mexico Tuesday night, bringing gusty north winds up to 30 mph in the northeast.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A cold front is moving into eastern New Mexico Tuesday night, bringing gusty north winds up to 30 mph in the northeast.

Overnight, temperatures will drop, especially in eastern areas, with colder air settling into valleys while higher terrain remains milder.

On Wednesday, eastern New Mexico will see a slight cool down, but temperatures will stay near normal for late January. High clouds will increase as moisture moves in from the southwest.

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Wednesday night will be cold again, though slightly warmer due to thicker cloud cover. By Thursday, winds will shift to the west and southwest, causing temperatures to rise again.

Major weather changes are expected from Friday through the weekend. A stronger cold front will arrive Thursday night into Friday morning, bringing deep moisture to the region.

Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia shares all the details in his full forecast in the video above.

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