CBS Warned on 'Kid Nation' Child Labor Risks

TL;DR

New Mexico officials warned CBS producers of "Kid Nation" during filming that the setup might violate state child labor laws.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)
Four children were treated for drinking bleach, one burned by hot grease, and most worked 14+ hours daily for $5,000.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)
The issue became moot after production ended, but it raised questions about child safety on reality TV sets.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)

The story at a glance

Documents obtained under New Mexico's open records act show that the state attorney general's office warned CBS and producers of "Kid Nation" during spring 2007 filming that placing 40 children ages 8 to 15 in a ghost town without adults might break child labor laws. The show was filmed at Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch near Santa Fe and ended in mid-May. A parent's complaint about potential abuse triggered the scrutiny, coming as the series neared its September 19 premiere.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)

Key points

Production involved 40 children building a society in a New Mexico ghost town, with filming lasting into mid-May 2007.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)
Incidents included four children treated after drinking bleach, one child burned on the face by hot grease in an unsupervised kitchen.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)
Children worked 14 or more hours daily and received $5,000 each; CBS claimed they were not employees since no specific work was assigned for wages.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)
On May 1, Assistant Attorney General Andrea R. Buzzard wrote that a child's frequent presence at a work site counts as prima facie evidence of unlawful labor.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)
Producers called it a "camp" but did not seek a state exemption; a labor inspector was turned away three times in April.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)
State officials also said the setup violated licensing for group homes; the matter closed after filming stopped.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)

Details and context

A parent alerted officials after production began, leading to an anonymous call and attempted inspections on April 13, 15, and 16; the labor inspector waited an hour once but was blocked at the gate otherwise.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)

CBS lawyer Jonathan Anschell argued no laws were broken, and executive VP Ghen Maynard confirmed the camp description used with parents. New laws were coming to limit children's TV work hours, but producers did not submit child actor agreements as requested.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)

New Mexico often waives rules for camps like Boy Scouts, but none was granted here. Department of Workforce Solutions stressed permits for child safety.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)

Key quotes

"A child's frequent presence at a work site is prima facie evidence of unlawful labor." — Assistant Attorney General Andrea R. Buzzard, May 1 letter.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)

Why it matters

State warnings highlighted risks of exploiting children in reality TV experiments, pitting entertainment against labor protections. Parents and viewers faced questions about safety on sets like this, even if no prosecution followed. Watch whether "Kid Nation" airs unchanged on September 19 or if further scrutiny prompts edits or delays.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html)