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Delaware State Police
Melvin Morse, 58, and Pauline Morse, 40, were charged with reckless endangerment, conspiracy and endangering the welfare of a child.
A couple in Delaware was arrested for abusing their eldest daughter, which included an alleged act of waterboarding.
Delaware State Police initially arrested Melvin Morse, 58, after they were informed of a domestic assault incident on July 12, when Morse allegedly grabbed his 11-year-old daughter by the ankle and began dragging her across a gravel driveway at their home in Georgetown, Del. He then took her inside and began spanking her, according to a police report.
Morse, a pediatrician, was charged on July 16 with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of assault. He was later released after posting $750 secured bail.
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On Monday, the daughter was brought to the Children's Advocacy Center of Delaware where she was interviewed. She told detectives that over a two-year period, she was disciplined by her father by what he called “waterboarding.” She said her father would hold her face under a running faucet, causing the water to go up her nose and all over her face, the police report said.
The child said this form of punishment was used at least four times. She said her mother, Pauline Morse, 40, witnessed a few of these incidents and failed to stop her father.
The couple also have a 5-year-old daughter.
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Police arrested the couple on Tuesday and charged them with four counts of reckless endangering, conspiracy and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Melvin was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $14,500 secured bond, and Pauline was released on a $14,500 secured bond. Both parents were ordered to have no contact with each other or either of their children.
Both children are currently in the care of the Division of Family Services.
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