Timothy Busfield faces fresh child sex abuse allegations as second accuser comes forward
Topics: Celebrity, Crime, US News, Sexual Abuse
Phoebe Tonks
Featured Image Credit: John Salangsang/ABC via Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Crime, US News, Sexual Abuse
West Wing actor Timothy Busfield has been hit with another round of allegations that he sexually abused a minor, just days after he was charged with allegedly sexually abusing 11-year-old twins.
Busfield, 68, appeared in court on Wednesday to face allegations of two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor, and one count of child abuse.
His arrest warrant, which was issued last week, claimed that he was engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old brothers whose identities are being kept private. It is claimed that they worked alongside Busfield on The Cleaning Lady.
During his brief court appearance, Busfield was not asked to enter a plea, and it was confirmed that he will be detained without bond until a preliminary hearing can take place on January 29.
Advert
However, it has also transpired that, according to a pretrial detention motion filed on January 14, ‘another victim's father’ reported to law enforcement that Busfield allegedly sexually abused his daughter ‘several years ago’ in Sacramento, California.
"While auditioning for [Busfield] at B Street Theatre, the 16-year-old reported that [Busfield] kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates," per the motion.
Busfield allegedly ‘begged the family to not report to law enforcement if he received therapy,’ and the father, being a ‘therapist himself, thought at the time that was the best thing to do.’
Busfield founded the popular theatre back in 1986, under the initial name the Theatre for Children, Inc.
As per PEOPLE, since the fresh allegations emerged, the company has issued a statement: "B Street Theatre is aware of a report concerning Timothy Busfield regarding an incident alleged to have occurred at B Street Theatre approximately 25 years ago.
“B Street Theatre retained legal counsel at the time to conduct an internal investigation, and Mr. Busfield has not had any role in the organization since 2001.
"He is not involved in our current operations, staff, leadership, or programming. Although he is listed as an emeritus board member, he has not participated in theatre governance or attended a board meeting since that time.
“Because this matter is now part of an ongoing investigation related to a separate alleged incident in New Mexico, we are unable to provide further comment at this time," continues the statement.
"As an organization that has served Sacramento and the greater region for decades, our mission remains to provide a safe, creative, and inclusive environment for artists, students, families, and audiences. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by abuse or exploitation in any form."
Busfield has strongly denied all allegations against him and issued a video earlier this week shortly before he surrendered himself to authorities.
In the video, which was obtained by TMZ, he said: "I did not do anything wrong.
"Hi everybody, it's Tim," the video began. "I'm sure most of you know, that are watching this, that I was ordered to come to Albuquerque – I'm here now. I got the call Friday night, I had to get a lawyer. Saturday, I got in the car, drove 2,000 miles to Albuquerque. I'm gonna confront these lies. They're horrible."
He continued, "They're all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys, and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies."
He concluded by saying. "So hang in there, and hopefully I'm out real soon and back to work. I love everybody for supporting me, thank you."
UNILAD has previously reached out to Busfield's representatives for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.