Edmonton parents of starved twins get support in court

About a dozen friends of an Edmonton couple accused of starving their twin 2-year-old daughters showed upto support them at a brief court appearanceTuesday morning.

The married couple, chargedwith two countsof aggravated assault, criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to provide the necessities of life,is not allowed to have any contact with each other.

The father, led out first into the prisoner's box wearing handcuffs, was told to stand at the far end.

His wife then enteredwearingshackles and handcuffs.

Throughout the court appearance, an interpreter translated for her.

None of the supporters wouldspeak to the media after the appearance, except tosay theyfelt the case has been "over-exaggerated."

Late last month, paramedics found the twins tobe severely malnourished with one weighing 13 pounds and her sister 16 pounds, after they were called to the home when oneof thegirls went into cardiac arrest after a head injury.

She remains in hospital on life support.

The other twin had also had injuries, but a third child, a young boy, washealthy.

The judge ordered the mother and father on Tuesday not to have any contact with the boy.

The parents, who cannot be identifiied,will be back in court next Tuesdayfor a bail hearing.