“Kid Nation” is a CBS reality TV show that has plenty of people worried that its young protagonists are being exploited – one parents has even accused the show’s producers of possible child abuse.

“Kid Nation” means to show viewers how 40 children, ages between 8 and 15, can change a deserted New Mexico town, within 40 days, into a place where they can live. Without any help from adults.

The children spent their 40 days in the ghost town in May-June 2007. Those who wished to leave the project were able to do so and some even chose to quit. The parent of one child that stayed throughout the 40 days later complained to state officials that the children lived in very rough conditions.

The New York Time reports that an investigation has been launched by New Mexico officials, to determine whether the show violated state laws on child labor and child abuse.

The paper says that CBS was warned during filming that the project was likely in violation of New Mexico law.

Producer Tom Foreman said during a press conference that the children involved in “Kid Nation” were never without adult supervision: cameramen, producers, a doctor, a child psychologist were always present. They nevertheless interacted as little as possible with the children.

The participants also had little or no contact with their parents during this period.

Several accidents did occur: four children accidentally drank bleach and required medical attention; one girl burned her face with grease while cooking. Most children worked 14 hours a day.

All participants, children and parents, signed a contract before starting production, according to the New York Times, requiring them to follow instructions from the producers at all times. The papers also said this was not considered ‘employment’ by the producers and therefore was not subject to any state or federal labor laws. The participants would also receive money.

Which is exactly what is debated at the moment: whether child labor laws have been violated.

The parent that accused the show’s production team of mistreating her child filed a complaint in June calling for an investigation into “abusive acts to minors and possible violations of child labor laws.” The claim was rejected by Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano.

“Kid Nation” is scheduled to have its premiere on CBS on Sept. 19.

CBS has denied child abuse allegations, calling the New York Times report “an incomplete, misleading and patently unfair portrayal of ‘Kid Nation’.”

“We are confident that the true story will be told in the weeks ahead through the episodes on the screen and the voices of the kids who participated - the overwhelming majority of whom had a positive experience,” CBS said in a statement.

There are some that do not accuse the producers – interestingly enough, it’s the parents of the child participants.

“She feels like it was summer camp. And I guess that would be a summer camp with cameras. This was a fun adventure for her,” the mother of one 12-year-old participant told the Los Angeles Times, defending the show.