Wichita ? Two sisters found emaciated at a Wichita home were forced to spend hours standing and even ate their meals that way while their stepmother’s own two children ate normally, according to testimony at a hearing for the girls’ father.

The girls, ages 6 and 7, were removed last month from the home and spent several days in the hospital before being placed in state custody.

Doctors found extensive bruising on the girls and said both were in a “chronic, extended state of malnutrition,” Sedgwick County District Judge David Kaufman said during Thursday’s bond reduction hearing for their father.

Alex A. Wood, 28, and his wife, Jennifer Wood, face two counts each of abuse of a child. Jennifer Wood also is charged with aggravated battery, accused of choking the 7-year-old.

Both adults remained jailed Thursday on $100,000 bond after Kaufman refused to lower Alex Wood’s bond.

The couple married about a year ago. Jennifer Wood’s own two children – a 4-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy – were described as well-nourished but have also been placed in state custody.

Alex Wood traveled frequently for work, but police have said he returned on weekends and should have known the condition of his children.

According to a probable cause affidavit cited in court, Alex Wood’s brother, Sam, lived with the family from June 9 to July 14. He told his brother he was concerned about how Jennifer Wood was treating the children. According to the affidavit, Alex Wood said the children were OK.

The affidavit also stated that the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services began an investigation of possible child abuse involving the family in September.

Jennifer and Alex later agreed with an organization called DCCCA, which has a contract with SRS, to use nonphysical discipline with the children, the affidavit said.

SRS closed its case in December, the affidavit said.

In arguing for a lower bond, deputy public defender Jama Mitchell said Alex Wood has no significant criminal history, has ties to Wichita and poses no danger to the community.

“He’s not a flight risk. He’s not the primary defendant in this case,” she said.

Prosecutor C.J. Rieg said there is information that contradicts any assertion that Alex Wood wasn’t present when the alleged crimes occurred.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday.