Utah couple ‘punished their 9-year-old daughter by waterboarding her in a bathtub’

A Utah couple waterboarded their 9-year-old daughter as a form of punishment, authorities have alleged.

Joseph Maeser Mitchell, 29, and his wife, Ilaria Catherina Mitchell, 28, were both arrested and charged with one count of felony child abuse.

‘The 9 year old disclosed that her father, Joseph Mitchell DOB 5-27-1989, and her stepmother, Ilaria Mitchell DOB 12-6-1990, have punished her three separate times by putting a towel over her face and pouring water on it,’ according to the police report obtained by Gephardt Daily.

‘The 9 year old went into detail saying that Joseph and Ilaria would take her to the bathroom and tie her hands behind her back.

‘They would then hold her down in the bathtub and place a towel over her face and pour water on it.

Joseph Maeser Mitchell, 29, and his wife, Ilaria Catherina Mitchell, 28, were both arrested and charged with one count of felony child abuse

‘The 9 year old stated that she cannot breathe and it hurts when this happens.

‘The 9 year old stated that this has happened three separate times.’

The girl also told police that her step-mother punched in the nose, causing it to bleed.

Authorities said that the child was taken to a hospital where she was treated for wrist injuries.

The injuries are said to be consistent with her being tied down and having her hands bound.

Police said that Joseph Mitchell was also found with a credit card in the name of his wife’s 7-year-old nephew.

Authorities also charged him with unlawful possession of a financial card, a third-degree felony.