Timothy Busfield recast on 'Law & Order: SVU' amid child sex abuse case
- - Timothy Busfield recast on 'Law & Order: SVU' amid child sex abuse case
KiMi Robinson, USA TODAYFebruary 6, 2026 at 12:45 AM
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Timothy Busfield's upcoming role on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has been recast as his child sex abuse case moves forward in New Mexico.
The 68-year-old actor, who was previously cast in a guest role on the currently airing Season 27, will be replaced with "Dexter" star David Zayas, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY on Feb. 4.
Busfield's episode, which was originally slated to air in January, will now release Feb. 26, according to People and The Hollywood Reporter.
TV news site Give Me My Remote was first to report the news.
Timothy Busfield, right, has been recast as he was set to play a guest role on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." David Zayas will now fill in for the role.
Though the episode was supposed to premiere Jan. 15, it was pulled and instead replaced with what was supposed to be the following episode, initially scheduled for Jan. 22. Busfield had surrendered to authorities on Jan. 13, following an arrest warrant that was issued Jan. 9.
'A bit too much': Melissa Gilbert breaks silence after Busfield's release
Busfield, who is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, was released from jail on his own recognizance on Jan. 20. A district court judge allowed his release after denying state prosecutors' request to keep Busfield behind bars based on the argument that "no conditions of release will reasonably protect the safety or any other person or the community."
Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jasjtU99kQKRE55CrK0qdg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/102bbcd7c92ab977d82ccc8b519c25a9 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
">Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jasjtU99kQKRE55CrK0qdg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/102bbcd7c92ab977d82ccc8b519c25a9 class=caas-img>Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nnbdPaXU5Ki5OlfICEXZTA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/53468fac4f83dbc3439b7079f19dc7c2 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
">During the Tuesday, Jan. 20, pretrial detention hearing, Judge David A. Murphy ruled there was no probable cause to show that "The West Wing" alum must remain behind bars due to a public safety risk. Murphy denied state prosecutors' motion and allowed the 68-year-old to be released of his own recognizance after spending a week in jail.Busfield's wife attended and sat in the courtroom.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nnbdPaXU5Ki5OlfICEXZTA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/53468fac4f83dbc3439b7079f19dc7c2 class=caas-img>Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4hRs549943kpiu7j4w2iEA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/162207e84f84104de9131eaa2c757bac class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
">Timothy Busfield greets defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd, right, before his hearing.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4hRs549943kpiu7j4w2iEA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/162207e84f84104de9131eaa2c757bac class=caas-img>He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers. He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PDMR5FZKQ6JsASmq9msCiw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/677aa3de7813603a88b962195af43782 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers. He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
">Busfield walked into the courtroom wearing an orange prison uniform and socks with open-toed slippers. He put on brown-rimmed glasses to read over documents with his lawyers in the minutes leading up to the judge's arrival.Busfield was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse on Jan. 9, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. A warrant for his arrest was issued that day.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PDMR5FZKQ6JsASmq9msCiw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/677aa3de7813603a88b962195af43782 class=caas-img>Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wCIJGs_EhYLcLGgFCX29sA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/07b38daa69e784fc6199520d5c40d984 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
">Gilbert previously submitted a letter in support of her actor husband and in it, called him "my love, my rock, my partner in business and life."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wCIJGs_EhYLcLGgFCX29sA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/07b38daa69e784fc6199520d5c40d984 class=caas-img>Busfield takes notes during the hearing.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ekQ6iH6FSBpU.Q55qmqomg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f372976ca0038b1e42d004a9dfdae1ff class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield takes notes during the hearing.
">Busfield takes notes during the hearing.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ekQ6iH6FSBpU.Q55qmqomg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f372976ca0038b1e42d004a9dfdae1ff class=caas-img>Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rzBuG4EQ6twT70qCCiRjPw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/847b98ea8e0aa019b7e5d159688ffb20 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd.
">Busfield and his defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rzBuG4EQ6twT70qCCiRjPw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/847b98ea8e0aa019b7e5d159688ffb20 class=caas-img>Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cQFEnMId7uaLdPJlRnpN.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/736b163d78b352bfa28ee82f97459151 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd.
">Busfield reviews documents with his defense attorneys Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Allen Dodd.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cQFEnMId7uaLdPJlRnpN.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/736b163d78b352bfa28ee82f97459151 class=caas-img>Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uM3RJTVHP3bllajaGHlzwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/21870fd1bf5025da4b5cee52f7e915ac class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director.
">Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg talks with the director.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uM3RJTVHP3bllajaGHlzwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/21870fd1bf5025da4b5cee52f7e915ac class=caas-img>Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Lhn3.By8ehes9dSqh0fkvg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/abaa35dc04b87d19c6d31cbfb6716484 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing.
">Busfield looks on before his Tuesday hearing.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Lhn3.By8ehes9dSqh0fkvg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/abaa35dc04b87d19c6d31cbfb6716484 class=caas-img>Busfield's wife attends his hearing.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1sVHdDlPqg8NxluaeqSPuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e82609a0ce2210b3b2a63b1c31ea6ec6 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Busfield's wife attends his hearing.
">Busfield's wife attends his hearing.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1sVHdDlPqg8NxluaeqSPuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e82609a0ce2210b3b2a63b1c31ea6ec6 class=caas-img>Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Q0uBmn8yRozvE10LgrRU7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/edb40d320c864141dab8e8f86162b73c class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments.
">Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg, Timothy Busfield and defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd listen as Bernalillo Country Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, left, presents arguments.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Q0uBmn8yRozvE10LgrRU7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/edb40d320c864141dab8e8f86162b73c class=caas-img>Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zucj2F.QXFdg8BHgvJOjOw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/75e4fef046f257f131c6c0ac151a501f class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
">Alan Caudillo, director of photography for the television show "The Cleaning Lady," was called to the witness stand by defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd (not pictured) during the Timothy Busfield hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zucj2F.QXFdg8BHgvJOjOw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/75e4fef046f257f131c6c0ac151a501f class=caas-img>Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/t8hb2hB.8QEU45hL4EOyBg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0a23bdb0a2d5f0439eb23977522deffc class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing.
">Defense attorney Christopher Allen Dodd presents during the Timothy Busfield hearing.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/t8hb2hB.8QEU45hL4EOyBg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0a23bdb0a2d5f0439eb23977522deffc class=caas-img>An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aLT4DMXw_NFem3fteWwx1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/852c618a13ab4aa6723ff8d38113e1d9 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
">An attendee wipes away tears after director and actor Timothy Busfield arrived for a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aLT4DMXw_NFem3fteWwx1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/852c618a13ab4aa6723ff8d38113e1d9 class=caas-img>An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lIpPjLYJMNkHpF4Jf.BsYA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4663ea03b3ab923b626d7880c12670e0 class=caas-img data-headline="Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges" data-caption="
An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
">An exterior view shows the Bernalillo County Courthouse ahead of director and actor Timothy Busfield's pre-trial detention hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lIpPjLYJMNkHpF4Jf.BsYA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4663ea03b3ab923b626d7880c12670e0 class=caas-img>
1 / 16Melissa Gilbert supports Timothy Busfield in court amid child sex abuse charges
Actor and director Timothy Busfield is be eligible for release from a New Mexico jail as he faces charges of child sex abuse, a judge ruled on Tuesday, Jan. 20, during a pretrial hearing in New Mexico. The ruling was made during Busfield's first in-person appearance in a New Mexico courtroom. A tearful Melissa Gilbert, who was seated behind her husband in the gallery, quietly celebrated the judge's decision.
The actor is accused of "inappropriate physical contact" with two child actors, who were 7 and 8 years old at the time, as they worked on the Busfield-directed Fox series "The Cleaning Lady" between late 2022 and early 2024, according to prosecutors. Busfield has denied all claims, alleging the accusations are an act of retaliation after the boys were recast on the show.
Zayas played Miami Metro Homicide's Angel Batista on all eight seasons of "Dexter" and reprised his role in "Dexter: New Blood" as well as "Dexter: Resurrection." He is also Tina Marrero's (Liza Colón-Zayas) husband in "The Bear."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Timothy Busfield replaced by David Zayas on 'Law & Order: SVU'
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
