RANDALL CHASE
Associated Press

GEORGETOWN, Del. (AP) - A Delaware pediatrician denies waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter and says he has not done near-death research in 15 years.

Dr. Melvin Morse spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday while awaiting a preliminary hearing on felony charges of child endangerment and conspiracy.

Police suggested in a search warrant affidavit that Morse may have been experimenting on his stepdaughter as part his research into near-death experiences by bringing her "to a possible near death state from the simulation of drowning."

Both Morse and the girl's mother, Pauline Morse, waived their rights to preliminary hearings. Their case now goes to Superior Court.

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Associated Press