An Edmonton couple accused of starving 2-year-old twin girls is looking to community members for help in raising bail money.

Supporters of a couple accused of starving their twin daughters meet outside of the Edmonton courthouse Tuesday. (CBC)

CBC News has learned that an internet plea for help has gone out to local Muslim women.

An e-mail says the family needs to raise $10,000 — even though bail won't be set for at least a week.

"A calamity has befallen a Muslim family," the e-mail author wrote. "Their 2-year-old daughter fell off the balcony today and she is in a coma at the hospital."

There is no balcony at the family's south Edmonton home.

A follow-up email notes, "There are different accounts of what happened to this family.

"Bottom line is...I've been told that the bail is $10,000 ($5,000 for each)."

The two were arrested last week and the malnourished girls — weighing only 13 and 16 pounds — were taken to hospital, where one remains on life support with a severe head injury.

They appeared in court yesterday and are to return next Tuesday afternoon for a bail hearing.