Boys in alleged neglect case 'too weak to sit up'

Six people to stand trial for allegedly neglecting five children at homes in Adelaide's northern suburbs in 2008. (ABC News: Rebecca Brice)

 A court has heard twin boys removed from homes in Adelaide's north last year amid allegations of neglect were so weak they could not sit up.

The children were among 21 removed from homes at Elizabeth Grove and Parafield Gardens in June last year.

The Elizabeth Magistrates Court was told the five-year-old boys were severely malnourished and too weak to sit up without support when they arrived at hospital.

The prosecutor said one of the boys had a head injury, thought to be from an assault the same day.

Their parents, two aunties and two uncles are charged with neglecting the twins and three siblings.

A defence lawyer argued charges against one of the aunties should be dropped because there is no proof she willingly joined the others in neglecting the children.

But the prosecutor, Tali Costi, described the woman as a controlling influence who teased the children with food and allegedly wrote about her animosity towards them in her diary.

All six have pleaded not guilty to five counts of criminal neglect, two of endangering life and three of acts likely to cause harm.

(Edit:Ruby)