The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is asking the Department of Child Services to investigate a ranch in North Phoenix. The Sheriff’s Office responded to complaints from neighbors who said they had observed malnourished animals being held on the property.

The animal crimes unit took 16 animals including donkeys, dogs and horses at the Remington Ranch for Deaf Youths in New River.

MCSO Sergeant Joaquin Enriquez said after finding three children working at the ranch they contacted DCS "To see if they had anything open or prior. They said no but then they opened an investigation to see if the living conditions were adequate for the children to be there."

He said the children are believed to be from Ethiopia but it’s unclear how they got to the ranch, which bills itself as a place for deaf youths struggling with drug abuse.

The secretary for the ranch said there are currently three children working on the ranch. She described them as adopted, living with parents in the United States.

CPS said it could not comment due to confidentiality laws.