An American mum is facing serious time behind bars after she was accused of allowing a paedophile friend to abuse her young daughters for years.

Ohio woman Sarena C Hall, 27, and her 64-year-old friend Marion Stang Jr were arrested late last week.

Local TV station WBTV reports Stang has been charged with two counts each of rape and gross sexual imposition.

And Hall was charged with two counts of felony endangering children.

Both are now behind bars ahead of court hearings.

The Stark County Prosecutor’s Office said Hall had allowed Stang access to the children, knowing what was going on.

Assistant prosecutor Christy Donnelly told The Akron Beacon Journal both daughters were aged under 10.

He said the abuse had been going on “for a few years” before a call to child services prompted an investigation.

The welfare workers then notified authorities, who made the arrests last Thursday morning.