Oklahoma Pediatrician Charged with Murdering Daughter in Drowning Hoax

El Portal, Florida, USA - In a harrowing case that has captured national attention, Dr. Neha Gupta, a 36-year-old pediatrician from Oklahoma City, faces grave charges after the tragic death of her four-year-old daughter, Aria Talathi. Authorities allege that Gupta killed her daughter and attempted to stage the scene to appear as if Aria had drowned. This heart-wrenching incident unfolded at a short-term rental home in El Portal, Florida, at the end of June 2025.

According to KWQC, Gupta has since been extradited to South Florida, where she appeared in court for a bond hearing. Judge Mindy Glazer formally charged her with one count of first-degree murder. Gupta’s attorney, Michael Mirer, questioned the legitimacy of these charges, arguing that there was a rush to judgment and a lack of definitive cause of death.

Details of the Incident

On June 27, 2025, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Gupta called 911 from the rental property, claiming that her daughter had drowned in the pool. When first responders arrived, they found Aria unresponsive in the deep end. Despite attempts at CPR, she was pronounced dead shortly after, at 4:28 a.m. Initial beliefs suggested an accidental drowning, but an autopsy revealed no water in Aria’s lungs or stomach, indicating that she may have been smothered, as detailed by News 9.

Pieces of evidence uncovered during the investigation are troubling. Reports confirm that Gupta had initially stated she awoke to a noise, found the door open, and discovered her daughter at the bottom of the pool. However, the forensic findings contradict her account. Gupta’s statement that they had enjoyed dinner before bed also fell apart when the autopsy showed Aria had an empty stomach. Judge Glazer expressed skepticism over Gupta’s delayed call for help, which lasted a shocking ten minutes.

The Custody Battle

This tragic case is further complicated by a bitter custody battle between Gupta and her ex-husband, Dr. Saurabh Talathi. As outlined by True Crime Avenue, Talathi was reportedly unaware of his daughter’s trip to Florida, raising numerous flags about Gupta’s intentions. The estranged couple’s legal struggles included denied requests for sole custody and a court order obliging Gupta to pay $79,000 in legal fees associated with their ongoing dispute.

After Aria’s death, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Gupta. She had already returned to Oklahoma City under suspicious circumstances. The police managed to track her down with the assistance of U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement. Currently, Gupta is awaiting extradition to Miami-Dade County, facing serious accusations amid substantial public scrutiny.

This heart-wrenching story continues to unfold, raising more questions than answers. As the legal process advances, community members and concerned citizens are left grappling with the tragic loss of a child and the shocking details surrounding her mother’s alleged actions.