NBC has pulled this week’s episode of “Law & Order: SVU” after an arrest warrant was issued for one of its guest stars following child abuse allegations.
Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield was set to appear in this Thursday’s episode, which is titled “Corrosive.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the episode has been shelved and will be replaced with “Fidelis Ad Mortem,” which was originally scheduled to air on Jan. 22. It is currently unknown if the “Corrosive” episode will be rescheduled.
The network’s decision follows an announcement on Friday by authorities in New Mexico. Busfield is alleged to have abused two boys in 2024 on the set of the Fox drama series “The Cleaning Lady,” which was filmed in Albuquerque. Busfield directed and acted in the series.
An affidavit in the case states one of the boys claimed Busfield first touched him when he was seven years old and again at age eight. Both incidents were on set, with the child stating that the 68-year-old actor touched him on his “‘poop’ and ‘pee’ area over his clothing.” Busfield also reportedly told the boys to call him “Uncle Tim.”
According to the affidavit, the boys’ parents questioned their sons after hearing rumors that Busfield had been “handsy” with women on set. When they were asked if anyone had ever touched them in a way that made them uncomfortable, the children reportedly responded, “You mean like Uncle Tim?”
Police first became aware of the allegations after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted Albuquerque police to initiate a sexual abuse investigation.
This warrant follows a history of similar claims against Busfield. He previously faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old extra on the set of the 1994 film “Little Big League,” which he directed. He settled a lawsuit with the victim and a separate legal action against a law firm he had accused of defamation. Additionally, in 2012, a woman accused him of groping her on a date, though Los Angeles prosecutors did not file charges in that instance.
Busfield is a veteran of the “Law & Order” franchise, having previously guest-starred on “SVU” in 2011 and directed two episodes in 2019. He is still at large since New Mexico authorities issued an arrest warrant for him on Friday.
“Law & Order: SVU” airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Viewers without cable or an over-the-air antenna can watch the show live for free with DIRECTV’s five-day free trial or stream the next day on Peacock.
Read the original article on syracuse.com.