Actor and director Timothy Busfield, 68, has asked a New Mexico court to quash a February grand jury indictment tied to allegations involving two twin boys on “The Cleaning Lady.” In a motion filed June 18, Busfield argues prosecutors did not present a fair, i
On a Thursday morning, Timothy Busfield turned back to the legal process rather than waiting for it to move forward. The 68-year-old actor and director filed a motion in New Mexico seeking to throw out the grand jury indictment that brought child sex abuse charges against him.
The request, filed June 18, asks a New Mexico court to quash the February indictment. Busfield’s motion argues that the prosecution did not present a fair and impartial case and misstated the law to the grand jury, court documents state.
Busfield’s filing says the state “has abdicated its role of administering justice and instead pursued an indictment against Mr. Busfield at the cost of evidence, Mr. Busfield’s rights, and the independence and integrity of the grand jury.”
The indictment centers on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child. Prosecutors allege the incidents occurred between late 2022 and early 2024 while Busfield was working as a director on “The Cleaning Lady.” The allegations involve two twin boys who were actors on the series when they were 7 and 8.
Prosecutors say Busfield abused the boys through inappropriate sexual contact. One of the boys also alleged Busfield touched his genitals several times, according to the criminal complaint.
Busfield is not the only person who has publicly contested the case. His lawyer, Larry Stein, previously said the indictment was “not unexpected” and maintained that Busfield is innocent.
Stein argued, “As the saying goes, a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich. What is deeply concerning is that the District Attorney is choosing to proceed on a case that is fundamentally unsound and cannot be proven at trial.” He added that the detention hearing exposed “fatal weaknesses” in the state’s evidence.
Stein said, “This prosecution appears driven by something other than the facts or the law,” and that Busfield “will fight these charges at every stage” while expecting to test the state’s case “in open court — where evidence matters — not behind closed doors.”
The allegations trace back to a reported grooming concern in November 2024, when a University of New Mexico Hospital staff member raised concerns that the boys were being groomed. Because the boys did not allege sexual contact at the time, the case did not meet criteria to continue.
The timeline then shifted on Oct. 3, when the children’s mother filed a police report and told Child Protective Services that one son disclosed “inappropriate touching” from Busfield to a mental health counselor.
In an affidavit. authorities describe that Busfield told them the set of “The Cleaning Lady” was a “playful environment.” He also allegedly admitted he probably tickled the boys. but said there was never any inappropriate contact. Busfield further allegedly told authorities that the claims were retaliation because the boys had been replaced on the show.
The court dispute comes as Busfield’s legal team also focuses on who told what, and when. The alleged victims both accused Busfield of inappropriate physical contact on the set and said he instructed them to call him “Uncle Tim.”
Alongside the legal filings, a separate piece of public reporting has added to the noise surrounding the case. Audio obtained by the outlet shows Melissa Gilbert telling police that the accusations were “cruel” and “vindictive.”
Busfield surrendered to authorities in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, on Jan. 13. Before he was taken into custody. a video obtained by TMZ showed him promising to “confront these lies.” He said. “They’re horrible. ” adding. “They’re all lies. and I did not do anything to those little boys. and I’m [going to] fight it. … So, hang in there, and hopefully I’m out real soon.”.
Busfield pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance pending trial. Throughout the proceedings, his wife—“Little House on the Prairie” star Melissa Gilbert—has stood by his side and voiced support for her husband.
The motion filed June 18 puts the case’s next steps in question. not by contesting the underlying allegations head-on. but by attacking how the indictment was constructed and presented to the grand jury. In a case that depends heavily on what can be proved in court. Busfield is trying to force the system to reexamine the process before the trial can fully begin.
Timothy Busfield child sex abuse indictment New Mexico court grand jury The Cleaning Lady criminal sexual contact of a child Larry Stein Melissa Gilbert Bernalillo County