A California theater confirms it cut ties with Timothy Busfield in 2001 after an internal probe, as new child abuse charges unfold.
A California theater company is speaking out after past allegations involving actor Timothy Busfield resurfaced amid his recent arrest on child abuse charges in New Mexico.
B Street Theatre in Sacramento confirmed that it conducted an internal investigation in 2001 after receiving a report that Busfield allegedly abused a 16-year-old girl while working there. The theater says Busfield has not been involved with the organization in any capacity for the last 25 years.
“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,” the company said in a statement to PEOPLE on Jan. 14.
While Busfield is still listed as an emeritus board member, the theater stressed that he has not participated in meetings, leadership, or operations since that time.
The renewed attention comes after Busfield, 68, was charged on Jan. 13 in New Mexico with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges are tied to allegations involving 11-year-old twin boys during his time directing on the FOX series The Cleaning Lady in 2022.
According to court documents, one of the boys said the alleged abuse began when he was just 7 years old.
A pretrial detention motion obtained by PEOPLE also included an unrelated allegation from Sacramento. The filing states that a father reported Busfield allegedly sexually abused his daughter when she was 16 during an audition at B Street Theatre.
The motion claims Busfield kissed the teen and touched her inappropriately. It also alleges that Busfield asked the family not to report the incident if he sought therapy.
Because the Sacramento allegation is now part of an active investigation tied to the New Mexico case, B Street Theatre said it cannot share further details. The company added that its mission remains focused on providing a safe and inclusive environment for artists, students, and families.
Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, denied the claims, telling PEOPLE that the decades-old allegations were never proven and are unrelated to the current case. Busfield himself has also strongly denied wrongdoing. In a video obtained by TMZ before turning himself in, he said the accusations are “all lies” and vowed to fight them in court.
Busfield surrendered to authorities on Jan. 13 and remains in custody without bond ahead of his pretrial detention hearing. Warner Bros. Television, which produced The Cleaning Lady, said it is cooperating with law enforcement and emphasized that the safety of minors is a top priority.
Busfield’s wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, has not commented publicly, saying through a representative that she is focusing on supporting her family during the legal process.
