Pediatrician facing child abuse charges in water boarding of daughter

A prominent Georgetown, Del., pediatrician who has appeared on "Oprah" and has written about near-death experiences is facing felony child abuse charges that include the alleged waterboarding of his 11-year-old daughter.

Dr. Melvin Morse, 58, and his 40-year-old wife, Pauline, were arrested this month after detectives were informed of a domestic assault incident that occurred on July 12, when Morse grabbed the girl and dragged her across a gravel driveway before spanking her. The girl told investigators that she was waterboarded at least four times between 2009 and 2011 by her father while her mother stood by and did nothing.

Pauline Morse was released on $14,500 bail and ordered to have no contact with her husband or her 11- and 5-year-old daughters.

Morse remains in jail and was ordered to have no contact with his daughters or wife.

Morse's attorney, Joe Hurley, expressed doubt to ABC News that his client could receive a fair trial locally because another pediatrician, Dr. Earl Bradley, who was found guilty of more than 500 charges involving the sexual abuse of 127 young patients in 2010, also was from Sussex County, and the men look similar.

The girls are in the care of the Delaware Division of Family Services.