Timothy Busfield’s Location Remains Unknown, U.S. Marshals Step in to Assist Police 3 Days After Arrest Warrant Issued
Albuquerque Police confirmed to people that they are working with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and arrest Busfield
The U.S. Marshals Service has stepped in to help locate Timothy Busfield after a warrant was issued for his arrest over alleged child sex abuse crimes
The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) confirmed to PEOPLE that they are working with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and arrest Busfield
The arrest warrant alleges Busfield, who is married to Melissa Gilbert, engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys
The U.S. Marshals Service has stepped in to help locate Timothy Busfield after an arrest warrant was issued for the actor by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), alleging that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys.
Federal Assistance in Manhunt
APD confirmed to PEOPLE that they are working with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and arrest Busfield, 68. The U.S. Marshals Service did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Asked by people if Busfield had been located, detained or arrested at this point, an APD spokesperson responded, “Not that I am aware.”
The Allegations
In the warrant from the APD, obtained by people, Officer Marvin Brown alleged that two boys, 11-year-old twins whose identities were withheld from the public, were the subject of sex crimes by Busfield. One of the minors alleged that the incidents began when he was 7 years old, per the arrest warrant.
Busfield is married to Melissa Gilbert. The West Wing actor and Little House on the Prairie star, 61, married in 2013.
Investigation Timeline
An investigation into Busfield, who is also a prolific TV director, began in November 2024, after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) alerted police about alleged sexual abuse, the warrant said.
The victims’ parents told Brown that the minors were child actors who met Busfield on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a director. The television show ran from January 2022 until June 2025.
Initial Response
The parents were advised by an attorney to take the children to UNMH, where they said professionals suggested the boys “were groomed,” per the warrant. It was later determined, however, that the case did not meet authorities’ acceptance criteria at the time.
Later, in October 2025, the victims’ mother filed a police report and told Child Protective Services (CPS) that “her children both disclosed that there was sexual abuse by Timothy from around November 2022 to Spring 2024.”
However, according to the warrant, she was told that because physical abuse had not occurred, nothing could be done.
Busfield’s Response
During an investigation, Busfield allegedly told police that the parents were upset their sons had been replaced with a younger actor who auditioned, according to the warrant.
Shortly after, the actor got a call from Warner Bros., informing him they were investigating a complaint.
Gilbert’s Prior Comments
Weeks before her husband’s arrest warrant was issued, Gilbert spoke out about child sex abuse in a social media post.
In November, Gilbert shared a throwback photo of herself and reflected on her Little House on the Prairie experience, when she filmed with an older love interest. She did not allege any improper behavior by the actor.
Gilbert shared the reflective post after Megyn Kelly made comments about convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. Marshals Involvement
The involvement of the U.S. Marshals Service signals that authorities believe Busfield may have fled across state lines or that his whereabouts are unknown. The U.S. Marshals Service specializes in tracking fugitives and has resources that extend beyond local law enforcement capabilities.
Three days after the warrant was issued with Busfield still unaccounted for represents a significant development in the case. The U.S. Marshals Service is one of the most effective fugitive apprehension agencies in the country, with a success rate of over 90% in locating wanted individuals.
Questions About Gilbert’s Knowledge
Gilbert’s presence on speakerphone during Busfield’s November 2025 phone interview with police, as detailed in the arrest warrant, has raised questions about what she may have known regarding her husband’s interactions with the young actors and their family.
No allegations have been made against Gilbert, and representatives for both Gilbert and Busfield have not responded to PEOPLE’s repeated requests for comment.
Industry Implications
Warner Bros. Television previously provided a statement to PEOPLE emphasizing that “the health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions.” The company stated they “take all allegations of misconduct very seriously” and have been cooperating with law enforcement.
The case has raised renewed concerns about protections for child actors on television and film sets, particularly regarding interactions between minors and adult professionals in positions of authority.
What Happens Next
As the search for Busfield continues, authorities will likely be monitoring financial transactions, phone records, and known associates to determine his location. The U.S. Marshals Service typically issues alerts to airports, border crossings, and law enforcement agencies nationwide when searching for fugitives.
If located and arrested, Busfield will face extradition to New Mexico to face the charges outlined in the arrest warrant. The alleged crimes carry serious potential penalties under New Mexico law.
A Troubling Pattern
The warrant also references prior sexual assault allegations against Busfield dating back to 1994, though those allegations did not result in charges at the time. This history may factor into how authorities and prosecutors approach the current case.
As the investigation continues and the search for Busfield intensifies, the entertainment industry faces difficult questions about how such alleged abuse could occur over an extended period without detection, and what systemic changes might be needed to better protect child actors.
For now, authorities remain focused on locating Busfield and bringing him into custody to face the serious allegations outlined in the arrest warrant.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.