We told you there'd be problems with the Lord of The Flies reality show that took 40 kids between the ages of 8 and 15 and and set them loose in a New Mexico ghost town to start their own society without adults.
We wondered what kind of parent would let their eight-year-old participate.
Now, at least a couple of parents who did say they regret their decision and wouldn't do it again-- and one parent who did has filed a complaint with the state of New Mexico, claiming that the kids on the show were neglected, that one girl had her face burned by hot grease while she was cooking and that several other kids needed medical help after accidentally drinking bleach that was left out in a soda bottle.
A state official whose department oversees licensing of congregant child-care settings told the New York Times that the production almost certainly violated state laws requiring facilities that house children be reviewed and licensed.
Romaine Serna, public information officer for New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department, said that CBS had never contacted the agency. If the department had known of the parent's allegations when the incidents occurred, she said, "We would have responded and would have assured the children's safety."
CBS suits say they broke no laws. But even one of the kids they trotted out to defend the show said the little contestants were made to haul wagons loaded with supplies for more than a mile through the countryside, and that they worked "from the crack of dawn when the rooster started crowing" until at least 9:30 pm (seven days a week, during the school year).
So does it still hold that any publicity is good publicity? Stay tuned. The series is set to debut September 19th.