A South Jersey man has been charged with sexual abusing two young girls more than a decade ago and his wife is accused of failing to report his crimes.

Michael E. Hammerbeck and his wife, Rosemarie, both 57, of Blackwood, were recently charged after the now-adult victims went to the police.

The alleged crimes occurred in Woodbury over five months in 2003 when the girls were 6 and 8 years olds, according to police.

The younger victim told police in June that Michael Hammerbeck sexually assaulted multiple times a week and threatened to kill her if she reported the abuse, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by investigators. The older victim reported similar abuse, authorities said. The victims told police that Rosemarie Hammerbeck knew what was happening authorities said.

Rosemarie Hammerbeck beat the children and blamed them for the incidents, authorities said.

Michael Hammerbeck was charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault, along with endangering the welfare of a child and lewdness. He was placed in Salem County Correctional Facility.

Rosemarie Hammerbeck is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.

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