CBS Reality Show Abused Kid Stars: Parents

CBS is defending its upcoming reality show “Kid Nation” against claims of child abuse and neglect, the Times reports. At least one participant’s parent complained to authorities in New Mexico, where CBS filmed 40 youngsters living alone in a ghost town, that her 11-year-old daughter’s face was burned with hot grease while cooking and that the show’s kid stars were unsupervised.

New Mexico officials, who also received a letter suggesting some children inadvertently drank bleach, have said the program probably violated state laws. CBS touted two participants and their parents who maintained conditions on the set were safe and endorsed the "Lord of the Flies"-styled show. (More CBS stories.)