Wichita ? An investigation into how state agencies responded to two Wichita girls found recently in life-threatening home conditions will eventually go back several years, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Matt All, chief counsel for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, said the investigation, which is looking at how the child-protection system responded to reports of suspected abuse at the home of the two girls, ages 6 and 7, is concentrating on the period from May to July, for now.

But the investigation will eventually encompass a wider time frame and go back several years, All told The Wichita Eagle.

“It seems like the situation took a significant turn for the worse in the last couple months,” All said. “And it seemed like the best place to start to see if anything could have been done to prevent it from getting as bad as it did in July.”

While the investigation will scrutinize the role of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, the agency won’t be the sole focus, All said. He spoke with The Eagle on Tuesday during a visit to Wichita as part of the investigation.

Based on the allegations, All said, “You can’t feel good about the system – I mean not just SRS, I mean the whole system.”

Sebelius ordered the investigation July 31, saying it appeared that the system had failed the two girls.

Prosecutors have charged the girls’ father, Alex Wood, and stepmother, Jennifer Wood, with felony child abuse.

The charges allege that the girls were tortured, beaten and inhumanely punished over a 10-month period. Jennifer Wood also is charged with aggravated battery. Police said the girls had become severely emaciated after being deprived of food and water.

“We’re certainly looking at SRS closely because we’re responsible for what they do,” All said. SRS, which is charged with protecting children and providing services to help families stay intact, reports to the governor’s office.

“We want to make sure that the system is working for the children who may be in danger, that it protects children in danger,” All said.