Actor Timothy Busfield, best known for his role on The West Wing, is now the subject of an active search after reportedly disappearing days after an arrest warrant was issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Authorities say the 68-year-old actor has not been located for three days, prompting the U.S. Marshals Service to join local police in an expanding investigation tied to alleged child sexual misconduct.
According to reports, Busfield became unreachable after an arrest warrant was issued on January 9, 2026. The warrant stems from allegations involving 11-year-old twin boys who appeared on the set of the series The Cleaning Lady in 2024, where Busfield was directing. Law enforcement has not confirmed whether Busfield is intentionally evading arrest, but officials now consider him a fugitive due to his failure to surrender.
As the search widens, new details from the arrest warrant have intensified public scrutiny. In a recorded interview with detectives in November 2025, Busfield reportedly acknowledged that it was “highly likely” he had physical contact with the children, citing what he described as a playful and supervised environment on set. He told investigators that any interaction would have occurred in front of parents and staff, and denied recalling any inappropriate or isolated moments.
Busfield reportedly told police he does not remember picking up the twins specifically, though he recalled picking up another child who was nearby and giggling. He denied overtly tickling the twins but admitted that tickling children is something he has done in general. He also stated that children were never left alone on set and were always accompanied by a parent, teacher, or welfare worker.
Despite those claims, the warrant outlines two counts of criminal sexual misconduct involving a minor, with one count related to each child. Investigators allege that one of the boys was touched inappropriately three or four times, while the other was allegedly touched on five or six occasions. One child reportedly told authorities he felt fearful of Busfield but remained silent at first because he did not want to upset him. The children allegedly referred to the director as “Uncle Tim” while on set.
The investigation began in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported suspected abuse. Hospital staff reportedly raised concerns about potential grooming behaviors, though the case was not initially accepted by the Crimes Against Children Unit following early interviews in which the children did not disclose sexual contact. Busfield has denied wrongdoing and claimed the children’s mother was retaliating after her sons were replaced by other actors.
Authorities say if Busfield is located, he is expected to be taken into custody for questioning. The case remains ongoing, and all allegations remain unproven at this time.
