Delaware pediatrican gets prison for waterboarding stepdaughter

GEORGETOWN, Del., April 11 (UPI) -- A former Delaware pediatrician and author of books on near-death experiences was sentenced to prison Friday for waterboarding his young stepdaughter.

Melvin L. Morse, who practiced in Milton, Del., until his license was suspended in 2012, was immediately jailed, led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

Morse was charged with reckless endangerment and other counts after his 11-year-old stepdaughter told police in 2012 that he had waterboarded her, forcing her under running water. He denied the charges but was convicted by a jury in January.

Superior Court Judge Richard Stokes imposed a five-year sentence and said Morse must serve three years.

Morse is the author of books on near-death experiences, including Closer to the Light, published in 1991. He has been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and Larry King and was the subject of a show in the PBS series "Upon Reflection."

[Delaware Online]