BREAKING: Timothy Busfield Surrenders To Police, Maintains Innocence
Four days after a warrant was issued for his arrest, actor and director Timothy Busfield has reportedly surrendered to police.
Timothy Busfield, husband of “Little House on the Prairie” actress Melissa Gilbert, reportedly turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department on Tuesday (January 13th). The Emmy Award-winning actor is facing charges of “criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse related to alleged misconduct involving child actors” during the filming of The Cleaning Lady, according to news outlet KOAT.
The Investigation
An investigation into the claims brought by twins who appeared on the Busfield-directed Fox series started in 2024. The boys, now 11, were 7 years old when the alleged abuse started. Their mother contacted authorities, and an investigation into the claims ensued.
Court documents obtained by KOAT show that an investigation into the claims was conducted by Warner Bros., the production company behind the series, and that, at the time, the claims could not be substantiated.
The Search
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Albuquerque Police Department said that Busfield’s whereabouts were unknown.
The rep also shared that they had enlisted the help of the U.S. Marshals Service to find Busfield and take him into custody. But those measures were unwarranted as the actor reportedly turned himself in to authorities in New Mexico on Tuesday.
Busfield’s Statement
TMZ was the first to report the news of the surrender and shared a video of Busfield addressing the claims. In the video, he maintains his innocence and tells viewers, “I’m sure most of you know… that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque. I’m here now. I got the call Friday night. I had to get a lawyer. On Saturday, I got into a car and drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque.”
He then called the allegations “lies,” saying that he is going to confront them.
“They’re horrible. They’re all lies. And I did not do anything to those little boys. And I’m gonna fight it,” he said. “I’m gonna fight it with a great team. And I’m gonna be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
He concluded by saying that he hopes he’s “out real soon” and “back to work.”
Melissa Gilbert’s Response
Moments after Timothy Busfield’s video was released, Ame Van Iden, a spokesperson for Melissa Gilbert, issued a statement on behalf of the actress.
“Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time. Any purported ‘statements’ circulating online including AI-generated deepfakes of her ‘breaking her silence’ should not be treated as coming from her,” Van Iden shared.
“She is honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds. During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
Melissa Gilbert married Timothy Busfield in 2013. Both had been married twice before and had children from their previous relationships. They currently live in a cabin in New York’s Catskills Mountains.
Serious Charges
The charges Busfield faces criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse are extremely serious and carry significant potential penalties under New Mexico law. These allegations involve twin boys who were child actors on The Cleaning Lady, a Fox series that ran from January 2022 until June 2025, where Busfield served as a director.
According to the arrest warrant, one of the twins alleged that abuse began when he was just 7 years old and continued until he was approximately 11. The boys are now 11 years old, meaning the alleged abuse would have occurred during the production of the show.
The Warner Bros. Investigation
Court documents indicate that Warner Bros. Television conducted its own internal investigation into the allegations at some point, but found the claims could not be substantiated at that time. This doesn’t necessarily mean the allegations were false internal corporate investigations often have different standards and access to evidence than criminal investigations.
Warner Bros. previously issued a statement to PEOPLE emphasizing their commitment to safety: “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action.”
The Timeline
The timeline of events is significant:
- 2022-2024: Alleged abuse occurs during The Cleaning Lady production
- November 2024: Investigation begins after a doctor at University of New Mexico Hospital alerts police
- October 2025: The victims’ mother files a police report with Child Protective Services
- November 2025: Police conduct phone interview with Busfield (Melissa Gilbert was on speakerphone)
- January 9, 2026: Arrest warrant issued
- January 13, 2026: Busfield surrenders to police
Busfield’s 2,000-Mile Drive
Busfield’s statement that he received the call Friday night and drove 2,000 miles from New York to Albuquerque raises questions about why he didn’t simply fly. The decision to drive such a distance suggests either:
- He wanted time to prepare mentally for what was ahead
- He was avoiding airports where he might be recognized or detained
- His attorneys advised him to handle the surrender in a specific way
- He needed time to get his affairs in order before turning himself in
Maintaining Innocence
Busfield’s emphatic declaration of innocence in his video statement calling the allegations “all lies” and insisting he “did not do anything to those little boys” sets the stage for what will likely be a contested legal battle. His confidence that he will be “exonerated” suggests either genuine innocence or a strong belief that the prosecution’s case is weak.
However, the fact that two separate victims (the twin boys) have made allegations, and that their mother sought help from medical professionals and law enforcement, indicates this is more than a simple misunderstanding or false accusation made in bad faith.
Gilbert’s Difficult Position
Melissa Gilbert finds herself in an extraordinarily difficult position. Her spokesperson’s statement makes clear she’s “standing with and supporting her husband” while also noting she’s following her husband’s lawyers’ advice not to speak publicly.
The warning about AI-generated deepfakes is notable it suggests there may already be fabricated videos or statements circulating online claiming to show Gilbert commenting on the situation. This is an increasingly common problem when celebrities are involved in controversial situations.
Gilbert’s decision to support her husband while the legal process unfolds is understandable, though it may draw criticism from those who believe the alleged victims. The statement emphasizes she’s caring for their “very large family” a reference to the blended family they created when they married, which includes children from both of their previous relationships.
What Happens Next
Now that Busfield has surrendered, he will likely be arraigned, formally charged, and either released on bail or held pending trial. The charges he faces are serious enough that prosecutors may request significant bail or conditions of release that keep him away from children.
His legal team will have access to all the evidence gathered by police, including:
- Statements from the alleged victims
- Medical records and evaluations
- Any video footage from the production set
Prior Allegations
The arrest warrant references prior sexual assault allegations against Busfield dating back to 1994, though those allegations did not result in charges. While past unproven allegations don’t prove current guilt, prosecutors may attempt to use them to establish a pattern of behavior if the case goes to trial.
The Presumption of Innocence
It’s important to note that Busfield, like anyone accused of a crime, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. His emphatic denials and decision to fight the charges rather than negotiate a plea deal suggest he believes he can prevail at trial.
However, the allegations are serious, involve multiple victims, and have been investigated by both corporate and law enforcement entities. The case will ultimately be decided based on evidence, witness testimony, and the credibility of all parties involved.
As this case proceeds through the legal system, more details will emerge about exactly what allegedly occurred and what evidence exists to support or refute the allegations. For now, Busfield is out of custody and preparing to fight charges that, if proven, could result in significant prison time and the destruction of his career and reputation.