Message led to search of New Mexico compound; 11 kids found

A message from someone inside a makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico that people were starving led to the discovery of 11 children living in filthy conditions.

Taos County Sheriff’s officials say the children ranging in age from 1 to 15 were removed from the compound in the small community of Amalia and turned over to state child-welfare workers.

Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe says two men were arrested during the search – one on a Georgia warrant alleging child abduction and the other on suspicion of harboring a fugitive.

Hogrefe says it was the saddest living conditions he’s ever seen.

He says there was little food in the compound, which consisted of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered by plastic with no water, plumbing or electricity.