Oprah Winfrey Show guest expert Melvin Morse accused of severely mistreating his stepdaughter, including 'waterboarding' Waterboarding allegations ... afterlife experience researcher Melvin Morse MD, left, and his wife Pauline have been accused of seriously mistreating her 11-year-old daughter. One of the best-selling books which propelled Morse on to several US television chats hows. A HIGH-profile US paediatrician who was a guest expert on the Oprah Winfrey Show has been accused of beating and waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter. Melvin Morse, 60, made his name from researching the spiritual effects of near-death experiences among children. Among the accusations he is facing is the claim he "waterboarded" his stepdaughter on several occasions by holding her face under a tap. Waterboarding is a torture method that has been used on terrorist suspects by US interrogators to simulate drowning. It is intended to help break a suspect's resolve and spirit. A court was told how Morse would allegedly force his stepdaughter's head under the kitchen sink and jet the water into her mouth and nose. This would cause her to choke, vomit and fear for her life, Delaware Deputy Attorney General Melanie Withers said. He allegedly told the girl she could survive "five minutes without brain damage." Morse is noted for his books on the near-death experiences of children. He discussed his research on shows such as Oprah, Good Morning America and Larry King Live. He vigorously denied all claims when presented to a jury at a court in the town of Georgetown, Delaware, for the first time this week. Morse's attorney did not deny the fact that the pre-teen was forcefully held under water. However, he asserted that the girl did not like having her hair washed. This fact was often used as a threat, or as a punishment, for behaviour Morse would deem as bad. The girl's mother, Pauline Morse, allegedly stood by and did not intervene in at least four such attacks - sometimes while the girl's younger sister looked on - the court was told. However she agreed last year to plead guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment charges and to testify against him, according to Associated Press and Reuters. Now, Morse's former partner and her daughter are accusing him of forcefully controlling every aspect of the child's life. Deadly beahiour ... Morse had made his name from researching the spiritual effects of near-death experiences among children. Allegations include: He would decide what the girl should wear He chose everything she would eat He would force-feed her at some times, starve her at others He restricted the times she could access the bathroom He would clamp his hand over her nose and mouth when she was crying until she collapsed The details emerged after his stepdaughter was initially interviewed by police after a neighbour reported seeing Morse drag the young girl by an ankle over a gravel driveway in 2012. Defence lawyers say the girl had "issues" and had previously lied about abuse from a half-sibling. Morse's representatives say they will be able to demonstrate a pattern of deceitfulness from both the girl and her mother.