Timothy Busfield has been removed from the upcoming romantic comedy You Deserve Each Other, starring Penn Badgley and Meghann Fahy, following his recent arrest on charges of child sex abuse. The decision to edit Busfield out of the film comes in light of serious allegations made against him, which have sparked significant media attention.
The 68-year-old actor was arrested after an arrest warrant was issued, detailing multiple charges, including two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse. According to reports from Us Weekly, the allegations involve inappropriate behavior toward a child actor during the production of Fox’s The Cleaning Lady. The alleged incidents occurred while Busfield directed several episodes of the now-canceled series.
The legal documents state that the child, who was only seven years old at the time, expressed fear of Busfield, stating that he felt relieved when the director was not present on set. The boy reportedly hesitated to disclose the behavior due to his position and fear of repercussions.
The allegations have prompted further scrutiny of Busfield’s past roles. Following the emergence of these charges, NBC has also decided to shelve an episode of Law & Order: SVU in which Busfield guest-starred as a judge.
Details of the Allegations
The investigation by the Albuquerque Police Department began after authorities received reports in late 2025. During an interview, Busfield reportedly denied any physical contact with the child or his twin brother, who also worked on the show. He characterized the environment on set as playful and insisted that any interactions would have occurred in the presence of parents.
In his statement to authorities, Busfield expressed uncertainty about specific memories related to the children, saying, “I don’t really remember picking those boys up… if it happened, I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever.” He claimed that his relationship with the children and their families was appropriate and non-threatening.
After turning himself in, Busfield publicly maintained his innocence. In a video shared with TMZ, he stated, “I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys.” He expressed confidence that he would be exonerated, stating, “I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences
Busfield appeared in a New Mexico court on January 14, 2025, where he was seen wearing an orange jumpsuit. He did not enter a plea during this appearance. The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office has indicated that if convicted, Busfield could face up to 15 years in prison.
In light of these allegations, Busfield’s professional future remains uncertain. The film industry and audiences alike are watching closely as the legal process unfolds.
For those who may be affected by similar issues, resources such as the Child Help Hotline are available at 1-800-422-4453.