Timothy Busfield has been removed from the cast of the upcoming rom-com You Deserve Each Other, starring Penn Badgley and Meghann Fahy, following his arrest on charges of child sex abuse. The decision to edit Busfield out of the film comes in light of serious allegations that surfaced earlier this month.
The 68-year-old actor faces multiple charges, including two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse. An arrest warrant, obtained by Us Weekly, details accusations of inappropriate behavior toward a child actor on the set of the now-canceled series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield directed several episodes.
According to legal documents, the child was only 7 years old during his time working with Busfield. The warrant claims that Busfield allegedly touched the child multiple times, instilling a sense of fear in the young actor, who was reportedly “very afraid of Tim and was relieved when he was off set.”
The child expressed concerns about reporting the incidents, fearing retribution from Busfield, who held a position of authority as the director. The Albuquerque Police Department began an investigation in November 2025, during which they interviewed Busfield. He denied any physical contact with the child or his twin brother, who also appeared on the show.
Busfield characterized the environment on set as “playful,” asserting that any physical engagement would have occurred in front of the children’s parents and would not have been inappropriate. He stated, “I don’t really remember picking those boys up… if it happened, I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for me.”
On January 14, 2025, Busfield appeared in a New Mexico court, where he was seen wearing an orange jumpsuit. He did not enter a plea at that time. Should he be convicted, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office indicated that he could face up to 15 years in prison.
In the wake of these developments, Busfield has maintained his innocence, claiming that the accusations are “all lies.” He expressed his intention to fight the charges vigorously, stating in a video shared with TMZ, “I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. I know I am going to be exonerated because this is all so wrong.”
The impact of these allegations extends beyond Busfield’s personal life, affecting his professional engagements and the projects he is associated with. Following the arrest, NBC also shelved an episode of Law & Order: SVU, in which Busfield guest-starred as a judge.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the entertainment industry will be closely watching the outcome of Busfield’s case. This incident highlights the ongoing concerns around child safety in film and television productions. For those affected by child abuse, the Child Help Hotline offers support at 1-800-422-4453.
