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Delaware Couple Accused Of Waterboarding Daughter

By David Madden

GEORGETOWN, DE. (CBS) -- A Georgetown, Delaware pediatrician and his wife were arrested on Tuesday, accused of waterboarding their 11-year-old daughter.

Dr. Melvin Morse has been interviewed, now and then, on cable television crime shows as an expert. Now, he and wife Pauline are facing a dozen child endangerment charges between them.

The probe started in July when Delaware State Police say Dr. Morse dragged the girl by the ankle across their gravel driveway in Georgetown. Corporal Gary Fornier says that investigation led to a sit down with the girl -- where she disclosed at least four incidents over two years that her dad called "waterboarding."

"She was being held underneath a faucet of running water," Fornier says. "Obviously, with water running up her nose and in her face caused her to not be able to breathe."

The girl and her 5-year-old sister were placed in the custody of child welfare officials.

Melvin Morse remained behind bars on Thursday. Pauline Morse was free on unsecured bond.

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