A Peoria husband and wife have been arrested after police say two young girls were subjected to severe neglect and excessive punishment inside their home. According to court documents, officers were called to an apartment near 83rd Avenue and Greenway Road after a 9-year-old girl escaped to a neighbor’s patio. Police say the girl told officers she had been left outside for about four hours on a day when temperatures reached 104 degrees. Investigators said the girl appeared much younger than her age because of her size and was taken to the hospital, where she remained for three days. Medical staff reportedly found signs consistent with severe malnourishment and other injuries. Her 12-year-old sister was later examined and reportedly had similar injuries. Court documents also allege the girls were denied food and water as punishment, forced to sleep on the living room floor and had restricted access to the bathroom. Police say the father admitted to physically punishing both children ...