An Emmy-winning television director surrendered to police after a child abuse warrant accused him of inappropriate contact with young actors on a popular TV production.
Actor and director Timothy Busfield, 68, turned himself in to law enforcement in New Mexico after authorities issued an arrest warrant tied to child abuse and criminal sexual contact allegations.
The surrender followed days of mounting scrutiny as details emerged alleging misconduct on the set of the TV show “The Cleaning Lady,” where Busfield served as a director.
Busfield denied the accusations as he entered custody, insisting the claims were fabricated and vowing to challenge them in court.
“I will confront these lies,” Busfield told TMZ while turning himself in, adding, “I did not do anything to those little boys.”
The arrest warrant alleges Busfield inappropriately touched two child actors during production, placing the alleged conduct directly between takes while cameras were rolling.
Investigators wrote that concerns first surfaced in November 2024 when staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted police after noticing behavior they believed could indicate children were being groomed on the show.
That report triggered a formal investigation that eventually led detectives to interview Busfield nearly a year later.
According to the warrant, police questioned Busfield about the allegations on Nov. 3, 2025, during a phone interview monitored by his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, who listened on speakerphone.
Busfield reportedly told investigators the accusations were retaliation by the parents of twin 11-year-old boy actors who were not asked to return to the show.
He allegedly characterized the claims as a revenge effort tied to casting decisions rather than misconduct.
Prosecutors, however, allege one of the boys told investigators the inappropriate touching began when he was seven-years-old and continued between filming breaks.
The accusations cast a shadow over Busfield’s decades-long career in Hollywood, including high-profile roles on shows like “The West Wing.”
Court records show this is not the first time Busfield’s name has surfaced in legal disputes involving sexual misconduct claims.
In 1996, Busfield was ordered to pay $150,000 to a Minneapolis law firm after a judge rejected his claim that the firm fabricated a sexual assault allegation against him.
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U.S. District Judge James Ideman ruled that the law firm, Messerli and Kramer, did not invent the allegation and ordered Busfield to reimburse its legal fees.
The $150,000 represented the firm’s cost to defend itself against a defamation lawsuit filed by Busfield.
After the ruling, Busfield appealed the decision, and the dispute was later resolved through a settlement.
As part of that 1996 settlement, Busfield had accused the firm of spreading a false claim that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl, according to Deseret News.
The report also stated Busfield reached a separate settlement with the teenage girl for an undisclosed amount.
That allegation stemmed from an incident said to have occurred on the set of the 1993 movie “Little Big League,” which Busfield directed.
The renewed focus on Busfield comes as other former actors face serious criminal allegations across the country.
In Texas, former Disney actor Matt Prokop has been arrested on multiple charges, including possession or promotion of child pornography.
The Victoria County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Prokop’s arrest, stating the 35-year-old was taken into custody Dec. 24.
Prokop remains held at the Victoria County Jail with bond set at $117,500.
People reported Prokop faces one count of second-degree felony possession of child pornography.
Authorities also charged him with several misdemeanors, including violation of bond or protective order, evading arrest, and resisting arrest, search or transportation.
Prokop is also facing a separate warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a family violence case filed in 2024.
The actor is best known for his role in the 2008 Disney movie “High School Musical 3,” where he played basketball player Jimmie “Rocket Man” Zara.
His latest arrest follows earlier allegations made by actress Sarah Hyland, who accused Prokop of verbal and physical abuse during their five-year relationship.
The couple split in 2014, and Hyland was later granted a restraining order.
According to Fox News, Hyland alleged in court documents that Prokop slammed her into a vehicle and choked her during an argument.
She also claimed he threatened to kill her dog and burn down her house after she tried to end the relationship.
In California, another well-known actor recently had his own encounter with law enforcement.
The performer best known for playing a burglar in the “Home Alone” films was cited for allegedly soliciting a prostitute at a hotel.
TMZ-obtained documents state Daniel Stern was cited Dec. 10 in Camarillo, California, though he was not arrested.
Ventura County law enforcement officials later confirmed Stern received a citation but was released without being taken into custody.
Authorities have not disclosed how police encountered Stern or what observations led to the citation.
If charged with the misdemeanor, Stern could face a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail if convicted.
Stern, 68, portrayed the bandit Marv Merchants alongside Joe Pesci in the “Home Alone” franchise, repeatedly thwarted by Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister.
The citation came months after Stern was hospitalized following an undisclosed medical emergency.
Emergency crews responded Oct. 7 to a residence in Somis, California, later identified as Stern’s home.
The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed the response but released no additional details about his condition.
