Timothy Busfield‘s role in Penn Badgley and Meghann Fahy‘s upcoming rom-com has been affected following his arrest on charges of child sex abuse.
Multiple outlets confirmed that Busfield, 68, is being edited out of the movie You Deserve Each Other in the wake of his legal troubles. This comes after NBC shelved an episode of Law & Order: SVU, which featured Busfield in a guest star role as a judge.
News broke earlier this month that an arrest warrant was issued for Busfield with charges including two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse. The warrant, obtained by Us Weekly, accuses Busfield of inappropriate behavior toward a child actor on the set of Fox’s The Cleaning Lady after directing several episodes.
According to legal documents, the child was 7 years old when he worked with Busfield on the since-canceled series. Busfield allegedly touched the child several times, and the young actor was “very afraid of Tim and was relieved when he was off set.”
What to Know About Penn Badgley and Meghann Fahy’s ‘You Deserve Each Other’
The boy was “afraid to tell anyone because Tim was the director, and he feared Tim would get mad at him,” according to the filed paperwork.
The Albuquerque Police Department spoke with Busfield in November 2025 as part of their investigation into the claims. At the time, Busfield denied having any “physical contact” with the boy — or his twin brother, who also worked on The Cleaning Lady.
“Timothy said it was a playful environment,” the warrant noted.
Busfield went on to tell authorities that he and his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, “did have a relationship” with the kids and their family. He claimed that their bond “outside of work” meant physical contact would have been “in front of the parents” and “there would never be a weird moment about it.”
“I don’t really remember picking those boys up,” he told the authorities. “I don’t remember those boys. No, I don‘t, I don’t actually, I don’t remember it, if it happened, I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for me.”
Timothy Busfield’s Child Sex Abuse Case Explained: What to Know
Busfield ultimately turned himself in to the authorities but has continued to maintain his innocence.
“I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys,” Busfield claimed in a video shared with TMZ earlier this month. “I’m going to fight it. I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Busfield appeared in a New Mexico court on Wednesday, January 14, where he was seen wearing an orange jumpsuit. He did not enter a plea. According to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, Busfield could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
