Melvin L. Morse
Melvin L. Morse | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 11, 1953[1] Sandy Springs, (sic) Maryland[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Pediatrician |
| Known for | "Near-death experience" interest |
Melvin L. Morse is an American medical doctor with a special interest in near-death experiences which has led him to appear on many talk shows and television programs.[2][3][4][5][6] Morse is the author of several books on the near-death experience, in which he offers conclusions based on interviewing children who came close to dying.
His 1991 book Closer to the Light was a bestseller. Oprah Winfrey interviewed Morse about this book in 1992. Larry King interviewed Morse in 2010. The PBS show Upon Reflection produced a half-hour episode devoted to Morse. He was the subject of an article in the Rolling Stone magazine in 2004 entitled "In search of the Dead Zone".[7] He lives in Georgetown, Delaware.[8]
In 2014 he was convicted of "waterboarding" his wife's 11-year-old daughter and sentenced to three years in prison.[9] [10]
Early life and education
Morse graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Natural Science.[1] Morse earned a medical degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1980.[11] He interned in Pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco, and then completed a residency in Pediatrics at Seattle Children's Hospital. He subsequently completed a two-year fellowship in Hematology/Oncology and a one-year fellowship in Behavioral Pediatrics.[12]
Career
He worked in California, Idaho and Washington state before moving to Delaware in 2007. His Washington state medical license expired in December 2007. After his arrest on child abuse charges in 2012, his Delaware medical license was suspended. Prior to his arrest, he was working as a pediatrician at an office in Milton, Delaware.[13][11][14] Morse is a former associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle.[15] He had practiced at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington.[16] For a year, Morse worked as a pediatrician in Fort Hall, Idaho for the Indian Health Service.[1]
In 2007, Morse and his wife Pauline created The Spiritual Scientific Research Foundation.[1]
Publications
- Melvin Morse (1991). Closer to the Light. Random House Digital. ISBN 9780804108324. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - Melvin Morse, Paul Perry (1994). Parting Visions:: Pre-Death Visions and Spiritual Experiences. Random House Publishing Group. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
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Personal life
Morse has been married twice, and has five children, including step-children.
Child abuse conviction
In July 2012, Morse was accused of "waterboarding" his eleven-year-old step-daughter. He was also accused by Delaware State Police of force-feeding the eleven-year-old girl until she threw up, among other child abuses.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]
Melvin Morse and his wife Pauline were arrested on child abuse charges in August 2012.[18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Melvin Morse also faced charges that he had threatened the life of an elderly neighbor. Both Melvin Morse, and his wife Pauline Morse, were released on bail.[25] Morse was brought to court on November 7, 2012, and entered not guilty pleas to the several charges he faced.[26] Morse is not being allowed access to the children, who are in state custody. Pauline Morse is being allowed supervised access.[27]
On December 1, 2012, Morse's lawyer argued that there was no need for an early trial, and that he needed more time to familiarize himself with the documents the prosecution had provided.[28][29]
Morse's trial started on January 28, 2014 at the Sussex County Superior Court in Delaware.[30] He was found guilty of the one felony and five misdemeanor charges and sentenced to three years in prison, while his wife plead guilty to misdemeanor charges.[9][10]
Later in 2014, Eugene Braxton, in "America's Mystic solves Near Death Riddle", attributed Morse's waterboarding to his desperation to "win the near-death crown.[31]
References
- ^ a b c d e
Melvin L. Morse. "Melvin L. Morse, MD, FAAP" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-01.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
Alex Tsarikis (2012-05-31). "Dr. Melvin Morse On Why Doctors Don't Listen to Near-Death Experience Accounts". Skeptiko. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
Join Skeptiko host Alex Tsakiris for an interview with near-death experience research and author of, Closer to the Light, Dr. Melvin Morse. During the interview Morse discusses why science has not fully accepted the near-death experience:
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
"Closer to the Light (Melvin Morse)". Upon Reflection. 1991. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
Host Marcia Alvar speaks with Melvin Morse, Pediatrician and author of Closer to the Light: Learning from the Near Death Experiences of Children. They discuss the similarities of the stories of children who have had a near death experience: leaving the body, going down a tunnel or passageway, and moving towards a bright light.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
J. Isamu Yamamoto (2009-06-09). "The Near Death Experience (Part Two)". Christian Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
Melvin Morse and his book certainly do deserve serious attention. As a physician, he has made two significant contributions to the subject of near-death experiences. First, he has provided professional insights into NDEs from a medical perspective. And second, his research was mainly conducted with children. Because his studies and observations gave the whole subject of NDEs a needed boost for the early nineties, Morse has frequently appeared before the media spotlight. For this reason also, the banner he is waving should be examined as well.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
J. Isamu Yamamoto (2009-06-09). "The Near Death Experience (Part Two)". Christian Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
In the previous issue we examined common elements in the accounts of people who claim to have had near-death experiences. We focused primarily on the New Age interpretation of this phenomenon, surveying the work and writings of Raymond Moody, Kenneth Ring, and Melvin Morse. In this issue our discussion explores alternative explanations to those of the New Age movement for NDEs.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
"Guest Speaker: Melvin Morse, MD, Where God Lives". Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
Randall Sullivan (2004-04-29). "In search of the Dead Zone". Rolling Stone.
Sullivan wrote about an intern named Melvin Morse… His work with near death children surprised him so that he became intriqued with their experiences and began a long term study… As he began to be confronted with the very real sense of a Person or Intelligence that children met on the other side, he said, "…I'm deliberately holding back from dealing with it, because I know that once I cross that line, I'm no longer a scientist."
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
Randall Chase (2015-08-15). "Records show troubled past of pediatrician accused of waterboarding stepdaughter". Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
Doctor Melvin Morse, who faces allegations of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter, had financial problems and a troubled relationship with his ex-wife. He was also fascinated by the near-death experiences of children.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Landau, Joel (13 April 2014). "Delaware doctor receives three years in prison for waterboarding 12-year-old girl". New York Daily News. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Delaware pediatrician convicted of waterboarding girlfriend's daughter". CBS News. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ a b
Randall Chase (2012-08-10). "Del. doctor accused of 'waterboarding' daughter". Dover, Delaware: Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
Morse and his wife, Pauline, were charged with several felony counts Tuesday based on the daughter's claims. Acting upon a complaint by the Delaware attorney general's office, state officials on Thursday ordered the emergency suspension of Morse's medical license.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Melvin Morse, M.D.
- ^
"Prosecutor in waterboarding case: Ex-doctor terrorized stepdaughter for years". DelMarVa Now. 2014-01-28. Archived from the original on 2015-05-20.
Prosecutors say a former Delaware pediatrician accused of "waterboarding" his stepdaughter by holding her face under a faucet, terrorized the girl for several years. In opening statements Tuesday, a prosecutor said Melvin Morse exercised total control over the girl including "her right to draw breath."
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
"Melvin L. Morse: Curriculum Vitae". Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-08-10.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
"Former UW pediatrician accused of 'waterboarding' daughter". Seattle Times. 2012-08-10. Archived from the original on 2015-05-20.
A former associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington who is internationally known for his research into near-death experiences has been charged with endangering the life of his 11-year-old daughter, who told investigators she was subjected to waterboarding.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
"Dr. Melvin L. Morse, MD". health grades. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
Dan Kelley (2014-01-27). "Jurors being chosen in Delaware doctor's trial over waterboarding claims". Philadelphia: Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2014-01-30. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
Morse, who heads the Institute for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, has appeared on "Oprah," "Good Morning America" and "Larry King Live" on CNN. He is the author of a book, "Closer to the Light."
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b
"Melvin Morse, Delaware doctor, charged with felony counts for allegedly "waterboarding" daughter". CBS News. 2012-08-10. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
Morse, who has authored several books and articles on paranormal science and near-death experiences, has appeared on shows such as "Larry King Live" and the "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to discuss his research, which also has been featured on an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries" and in an article in "Rolling Stone" magazine.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b
Randall Chase (2012-08-10). "Delaware doctor accused of 'waterboarding' daughter". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
Hurley, the attorney, said the 11-year-old has some "opposition issues" and had complained to her parents several years ago about being abused by a half-sibling. He said the parents contacted authorities and the half-sibling was arrested, but that the girl confessed months later that the incident never happened and that she just didn't want the half-sibling living in the house.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b
Sam Wood (2012-08-10). "Del. yanks license of doctor charged in 'waterboarding'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
Melvin Morse, 58, poses a "clear and immediate danger to the public health," declared a filing published on the website of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b
"Delaware doctor arrested for 'waterboarding his daughter': A paediatrician has been arrested after allegedly waterboarding his 11-year-old daughter as a form of punishment". The Telegraph (UK). 2012-08-07. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10.
"Melvin would sometimes look away while he did it and [the girl] would become afraid that he would lose track of time and she would die," according to a police document seen by the News Journal, a Delaware newspaper. The girl also told police that Mrose had said she could be put under water for five minutes without suffering brain damage.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b
"Father waterboarded his daughter, 11, FOUR times while her mother stood by' - and he'd appeared on Oprah as expert on children's near-death experiences '". Daily Mail. 2012-08-09. Archived from the original on 2012-08-10. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
Dr Melvin Morse, a published author who has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Larry King, allegedly held the girl's face under a running faucet on four occasions for as long as five minutes.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b
Randall Chase (2012-08-15). "Near-death experiences doctor may have been experimenting by 'waterboarding' stepdaughter, police say". Fox News. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
Based on his work involving children's near-death experiences, police suggested he may have been experimenting on her.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b
"Dad denies subjecting daughter to waterboarding". New Zealand Herald. 2012-08-17. Archived from the original on 2012-09-15.
A US doctor today denied allegations of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter as part of his research into near-death experiences.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
Nastacia Leshchinskaya (2012-11-16). "Near Death Expert Dad Pleads Not Guilty to 'Waterboarding' Stepdaughter". Tru TV. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25.
A former Georgetown, Del., pediatrician has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and endangerment for allegedly 'waterboarding' his stepdaughter. Dr. Melvin Morse is represented by Delaware criminal defense attorney Joseph Hurley; his wife, who pleaded not guilty in October, is represented by public defender Dean Johnson. Both have been out on bail since their arrest.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
Randall Chase (2012-11-07). "Accused 'Waterboarding' Doc Pleads Not Guilty: Pediatrician accused of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter pleads not guilty". NBC Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25.
A Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter has pleaded not guilty to charges of child endangerment and assault.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
Benjamin Radford (2012-08-12). "Near-Death Experience Expert Arrested for Torture". Discovery News. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25.
A reason for the crime has not been revealed, but details of the allegations suggest a chilling motive: Morse may have been trying to torture his daughter into her own near-death experience.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
"Defense wants trial delay in alleged waterboarding". Capital Gazette. 2012-12-01. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25.
Morse, who has researched near-death experiences involving children, has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment and assault charges. He denies police claims he may have been experimenting on his stepdaughter.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^
"Defense wants trial delay in alleged waterboarding". Philly.com. 2012-12-01. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25.
Hurley, who suggested a trial no sooner than April, also is seeking court approval for Morse to have supervised visits with his children. A hearing on those motions is scheduled for Friday.
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Lacey Johnson (2014-01-28). "Delaware doc accused of waterboarding stepdaughter goes on trial". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
The prosecutor, Melanie Withers, said he held the girl face-up under a running kitchen faucet until she was unable to breathe. Morse "called it waterboarding," Withers said.
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Eugene Braxton (2014). America's Mystic Solves Near-Death Riddle. Archway Publishing. p. 86. ISBN 9781480812802. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
Dr. Melvin Morse was so desperate to win the near-death crown that he was arrested for purposely drowning his own children in an attempt to create a near death in them.