Full Breakdown
Timothy Busfield Testifies to Grand Jury Amid Child-Sexual-Contact Charges
7/20/2026, 2:33:50 AM
Core Event
Actor-director Timothy Busfield, 69, faces four counts of criminal sexual contact with two twin boys who appeared on the series *The Cleaning Lady* from 2022 to 2025. The charges stem from alleged inappropriate touching of the pre-pubescent twins on set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Busfield was arrested in January, released without bail, and formally indicted in February. He is scheduled to stand trial on May 10, 2027.
Background & Context
The investigation began in November 2024 after a University of New Mexico Hospital staff member reported concerns that the twins were being groomed following a medical examination prompted by their mother’s suspicion of sexual abuse. Hospital staff found no evidence of abuse. The twins were later removed from the show, which Busfield says was because they outgrew their roles. Busfield has been married to former child star Melissa Gilbert since 2013, and she continues to support him.
Official Statements & Responses
During more than two hours of grand-jury testimony, Busfield repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that he was never alone with the children and that dozens of witnesses were present on set. He claimed he could produce audio recordings of the twins stating they were not inappropriately touched and noted that a lie-detector test he took was deemed inadmissible by prosecutors. Busfield argued that committing sexual abuse on a television set would constitute “career suicide.”
Criticism & Opposition
The hospital staff’s report initiated the criminal probe, indicating external concern over possible grooming. Prosecutors rejected the admissibility of Busfield’s polygraph results, limiting that line of defense. The twins’ mother has alleged that the accusations are motivated by revenge after the children’s roles were cut.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn’t do this. I have never, ever been inappropriate.” — Timothy Busfield
- “I have never, ever been inappropriate in any way, physically, sexually in any way with a child, a prepubescent little boy. I am not attracted to that,” — Timothy Busfield
- “The dad would say, ‘Go hug Uncle Tim,’ so I would touch them then. I never initiated that,” — Timothy Busfield
- “I don’t remember ever kissing either one of those boys.” — Timothy Busfield
