Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as he surrendered to authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday. The arrest followed allegations of child sex abuse, specifically accusations of inappropriate conduct with a minor on the set of a television series he was directing.

The legal troubles for Busfield began when Albuquerque authorities issued an arrest warrant last Friday. He now faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The incidents in question are alleged to have taken place during the filming of “The Cleaning Lady,” a series shot in Albuquerque.

Busfield, who shares his life with fellow actor Melissa Gilbert, is a familiar face to many, thanks to his roles in acclaimed productions such as “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Thirtysomething.” His portrayal in “Thirtysomething” earned him an Emmy Award in 1991 for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.

According to Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesperson for the Albuquerque police department, Busfield was formally booked on these charges following his surrender.

Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Busfield has consistently maintained his innocence. He denied any wrongdoing when questioned by authorities during the initial investigation last fall, as detailed in the criminal complaint.

NBC shelved an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” that featured Busfield and was set to air Thursday, a network spokesperson confirmed Tuesday to The Associated Press. Busfield was guest-starring as the judge on the long-running show, which focuses on sex crimes.

The criminal complaint filed by an investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department says the boy reported that he was 7 years old when Busfield touched him three or four times on private areas over his clothing. Busfield allegedly touched him five or six times on another occasion when he was 8, the complaint said.

The child was reportedly afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the director and he feared he would get mad at him, the complaint said.

The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was touched by Busfield but did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble.

When he was interviewed by authorities as part of the investigation, Busfield suggested that the boys’ mother was seeking revenge for her children being replaced on the series. He also said he likely would have picked up and tickled the boys, saying the set was a playful environment.

Busfield’s attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday. A video obtained by TMZ showed Busfield in front of a window with the Albuquerque skyline in the backdrop. He said he arrived in the city after driving 2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers).

“I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies,” Busfield said.

The search for Busfield involved the U.S. Marshals Service and extended to New York before Busfield appeared in a video from Albuquerque and arrived at a metropolitan detention center, Gallegos said.

“We had the U.S. Marshals’ office looking in New York in particular, and other cities” Gallegos said.

The mother of the twins – who are identified only by their initials in court records – reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said.

Busfield’s wife, Gilbert, indicated through a publicist that she won’t speak publicly at the request of attorneys for Busfield while the legal process unfolds.

“Her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family,” publicist Ame Van Iden said in a statement. “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time.”

The investigation began in November 2024, when the investigator responded to a call from a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. The boys’ parents had gone there at the recommendation of a law firm, the complaint said.

According to the complaint, one of the boys has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. A social worker documented him saying he has had nightmares about Busfield touching him.

“The Cleaning Lady” aired for four seasons on Fox, ending in 2025. The show was produced by Warner Bros., which according to the complaint conducted its own investigation into the abuse allegations but was unable to corroborate them.