Federal law enforcement has joined the search for veteran actor and director Timothy Busfield, who faces serious allegations of child sexual abuse stemming from his work on the Fox television series “The Cleaning Lady,” authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The U.S. Marshals Service is now assisting the Albuquerque Police Department in efforts to locate and apprehend the 67-year-old Busfield, according to an APD spokesperson. An arrest warrant was issued Friday following a months-long investigation that began in November 2024.
Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor perhaps best known for his roles in “thirtysomething” and “The West Wing,” stands accused of sexually abusing two underage boys who worked as child actors on “The Cleaning Lady” while he directed episodes of the crime drama. The specific nature and timeline of the alleged abuse have not been publicly detailed by investigators.
The involvement of U.S. Marshals—the federal agency primarily responsible for fugitive apprehension—signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case and suggests concerns that Busfield may have crossed state lines or could be difficult to locate through local law enforcement alone.
As of this report, Busfield remains at large. Police have not disclosed his current whereabouts or provided a timeline for when an arrest might occur. The decision not to reveal location information is standard practice in active manhunts to prevent suspects from evading capture.
According to police documents, Busfield was interviewed by detectives during the investigation. During that interview, he reportedly claimed that Élodie Yung, the French-British actress who stars as the show’s protagonist, Thony De La Rosa, told him the accusations were motivated by revenge. Busfield allegedly stated the mother of the two boys was retaliating after her children were not asked to return for the show’s fourth and final season, which concluded in 2024.
The case has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, particularly given Busfield’s marriage to actress Melissa Gilbert, beloved for her role as Laura Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie.” The couple wed in 2013, and Gilbert has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations against her husband.
“The Cleaning Lady,” which premiered in 2022 and ran for four seasons on Fox, centered on a Cambodian doctor working as a cleaning lady while seeking medical treatment for her son. The show regularly featured child actors in supporting roles.
It is important to note that Busfield has not been convicted of any crime, and the allegations against him remain under active investigation. Under the American legal system, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation continues, and authorities urge anyone with information about Busfield’s whereabouts to contact the Albuquerque Police Department or the U.S. Marshals Service immediately.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Actor-director Timothy Busfield is wanted by federal authorities on child sex abuse charges involving underage actors from “The Cleaning Lady.” A warrant has been issued, the U.S. Marshals are assisting in the manhunt, and he remains at large. Busfield claims the allegations are revenge-motivated, but he has not been located or arrested. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
