It is lousy reporting, no doubt, but the 3rd paragraph also indicates that the girls were sexually abused.
No, it doesn’t:
“Stephen Howells Jr. and Nicole Vaisey, both of Hermon, were arrested and arraigned Friday on charges they abducted the 7-year-old and 12-year-old sisters with the intent to physically or sexually abuse them.”
This only says they are charged with INTENT.