Timothy Busfield Says Career Is Over Amid Child Sex Charge Allegations

(Actor Timothy Busfield. Photo Credit: Actor Timothy Busfield)

Actor Timothy Busfield says his career is effectively finished after facing allegations that led to his indictment on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under 13 earlier this year. 

According to grand jury testimony from the district attorney’s office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, obtained Wednesday by USA Today, the 69-year-old told jurors in February that he considered his career over, expressing belief that he would never work again due to public fear he might reoffend, regardless of the truth behind the claims.

He said he had already lost television roles, been digitally removed from a film, and been dropped by his talent agency, insisting the matter wasn’t about seeking sympathy for himself.

During roughly two hours of testimony, Busfield reportedly expressed hope that the situation wouldn’t damage the career of his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert.

He told the 12-person grand jury that his children, grandchildren and everyone connected to him had effectively been affected by what he described as false allegations made out of financial motive and revenge, adding that he was determined not to let the fallout harm his wife’s business.

Beyond acting, Gilbert runs a lifestyle brand called Modern Prairie and has recently launched merchandise tied to her earlier series Little House on the Prairie, capitalising on renewed interest following a Netflix reboot that debuted earlier this month.

Busfield faces four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under 13, charges he denies.

Prosecutors announced the indictment on February 6, with the allegations reportedly involving two child actors who worked alongside him on The Cleaning Lady, a series he produced and directed on between 2022 and 2025.

In his testimony, Busfield denied any inappropriate conduct with the children, claiming the accusations stemmed from resentment on the part of the children’s parents after he excluded them from the show’s fourth season cast.

He alleged the parents coached their children into making false claims against him, telling the grand jury he felt nervous given how real and high-stakes the situation was.

The grand jury also heard testimony from Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown during the February 5 session and did not request additional witnesses.

Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, has previously maintained his client’s innocence, arguing that the facts would eventually vindicate him as the case moves through the legal system.

Stein expressed concern that the district attorney was pursuing a case he considers fundamentally weak and unlikely to hold up at trial.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2027.

Busfield turned himself in to authorities in January but was released by a judge who determined he had not shown a pattern of criminal behaviour.

The Michigan-born actor is known for film roles in Field of Dreams, Little Big League and Revenge of the Nerds, along with television appearances on The West Wing and Thirtysomething.

He has also built an extensive directing career, working on shows including The Client List, The Night Shift and Designated Survivor.