NBC has pulled a new episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that featured actor and director Timothy Busfield after he was accused of child sex abuse in New Mexico. The network confirmed that the episode, originally set to air Thursday, Jan. 15, will not be broadcast. Another episode scheduled for later in the month will fill its place.
The unaired episode, titled “Corrosive,” reportedly centered on a judge, played by Busfield, recovering from an attempt on his life. Its removal follows reports that authorities in New Mexico issued an arrest warrant for the 68-year-old actor earlier this month.
Busfield, a veteran of the Law & Order franchise, first appeared in a 2011 episode titled “Russian Brides” before returning as a director for two installments in 2019. His career has also included roles in The West Wing and other television dramas.
According to court documents obtained by entertainment outlet Variety, Busfield is accused of inappropriately touching two twin boys while working as a director on the Fox series The Cleaning Lady between 2022 and 2024. The warrant describes alleged incidents in which Busfield picked up the minors, touched their “private areas,” and tickled them during breaks on set.
On Nov. 3, 2025, investigators interviewed the actor about his interactions with child performers. In the recorded statement, Busfield acknowledged that he “likely” came into physical contact with young actors but denied any deliberate misconduct. “I don’t really remember picking those boys up,” he reportedly said. “It would always be in front of the parents. There would never be a weird moment about it.”
Two months later, on Jan. 13, Busfield surrendered to police in New Mexico and was taken into custody. Legal experts told Fox News Digital that the case could take months to move through the system, depending on the evidence and potential witness statements. Analysts say the fallout may extend beyond his on-screen work.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Warner Bros. Television said it is “aware of the current charges” and is cooperating with authorities. “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions,” the studio said. “We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to investigate and, when needed, take appropriate action.”
Meanwhile, Busfield’s wife, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, has removed her Instagram account following the publication of the arrest warrant. A representative for Gilbert told Fox News Digital that she is not making public comments. “Melissa Gilbert is not making public statements at this time,” the representative said. “She is honoring her husband’s legal team’s request not to speak while the process unfolds. Her focus is on supporting and caring for their family.”
The investigation remains active, and NBC has not announced whether the pulled Law & Order: SVU episode will air at a later date. Industry watchers say the network’s move underscores the growing pressure studios face when allegations emerge against high-profile figures. The situation could mark another test of how Hollywood handles off-screen controversies that reach into its most established franchises.
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