(AP) -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas City couple has been charged with assault and child endangerment after their malnourished 8-year-old niece was found locked in a bedroom.

The charges were filed Friday against 34-year-old Jeffrey Kraft and 28-year-old Michele Kraft. No attorney is listed for either of them in online court records.

The girl and her 5-year-old sister began living with their aunt and uncle about four years ago. A detective wrote in the probable cause statement that when the 8-year-old was found July 5th, she weighed just 42 pounds. She had lost six pounds since kindergarten, the last time she attended school.

The 8-year-old was examined at a hospital and found to have bruises and other marks. Neighbors said they hadn't seen or heard about either girl for about a year.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)