News Summary
Dr. Neha Gupta, an Oklahoma pediatrician, faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly staging her 4-year-old daughter’s drowning in a Florida pool. An autopsy revealed no water in the child’s lungs and signs of possible suffocation. Gupta also has a contentious divorce underway with her ex-husband, raising concerns about her mental health. Following her arrest in Oklahoma City, she remains in custody in Miami-Dade County, pleading not guilty as her legal team insists on the possibility of an accidental death.
Oklahoma City and Miami-Dade County, Florida — Pediatrician Accused of Murdering Daughter and Staging Drowning Incident
Oklahoma pediatrician Dr. Neha Gupta, 36, has been formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of her 4-year-old daughter, Aria Talathi, in El Portal, Florida. The incident came to light after authorities allege that Gupta staged the scene of her daughter’s death to appear as a drowning in a swimming pool. The events unfolded during a family vacation at a short-term rental home.
Initial Incident and Emergency Response
On the morning of June 27, 2025, Gupta called emergency services claiming that her daughter was drowning in the pool at their rental property. Responding paramedics arrived to find Aria unresponsive in the water, and she was immediately transported to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Autopsy Findings and Investigation Results
Authorities ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Surprisingly, the examination revealed that no water was present in Aria’s lungs, which raises questions about the drowning narrative. Additionally, the autopsy identified cuts inside Aria’s mouth and bruising on her cheeks, suggesting she may have been subjected to suffocation or smothering prior to entering the water.
Based on these findings, investigators hired by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Gupta. They suspect that her actions surrounding Aria’s death were intentionally deceptive, leading to her arrest in early July.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Gupta was taken into custody at her residence in Oklahoma City on July 1, 2025. Authorities moved quickly to extradite her to Miami-Dade County, where she currently remains without bond. She has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges filed against her.
Details of the arrest were captured on body camera footage released by the Oklahoma City Police Department. The footage shows officers forcibly entering Gupta’s home to locate her after she attempted to hide in her laundry room. Officers subdued Gupta and placed her in handcuffs amid the tense situation.
Defense and Legal Response
Gupta’s legal representative, attorney Richard L. Cooper, has argued that his client believed someone had broken into her home. Cooper claims Gupta was on the phone with 911 when officers arrived and contends the arrest was excessively aggressive. He characterizes Gupta as cooperative and asserts that her actions did not pose a danger to the community.
Background Context and Ongoing Disputes
At the time of her arrest, Gupta was involved in a contentious divorce and custody dispute with her ex-husband, Dr. Saurabh Talathi. The father was reportedly unaware that Gupta had taken their daughter out of state and is now seeking full custody of Aria. Concerns about Gupta’s mental health, raised by her ex-husband, played a role in the ongoing family conflict.
Community and Legal Developments
The legal team representing Gupta has characterized Aria’s death as a tragic accident, criticizing the authorities for rushing to judgment before obtaining conclusive evidence. Meanwhile, officials plan to hold a court hearing on August 7, 2025, to proceed with formal proceedings in the case.
The case continues to develop as authorities and legal representatives seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding Aria’s death, which has shocked both the local community and the wider medical and legal fields.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KOCO News
- NBC Miami
- People
- Miami Herald
- KFOR News
- Wikipedia: Neha Gupta
- Google Search: Neha Gupta arrest
- Google Scholar: Neha Gupta court
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Neha Gupta
- Google News: Neha Gupta
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