An Oklahoma pediatrician now faces serious charges after police accused her of staging her daughter’s drowning. Dr. Neha Gupta, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in Florida. According to authorities, she tried to make her 4-year-old daughter’s death look like an accidental drowning.
The incident reportedly took place in Miami. At the time, Gupta called 911 from a short-term rental to report a drowning. She claimed her daughter, Aria Talathi, was in the pool and not breathing. Responding officers found the girl unresponsive and rushed her to a hospital. However, doctors could not save her.
Shortly afterward, medical examiners noticed troubling signs. For instance, Aria had no water in her lungs, which contradicts a typical drowning. In addition, the autopsy revealed cuts inside her mouth and bruises on her cheeks. Because of these injuries, investigators suspected foul play.
As a result, police worked with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office to build a strong case. They soon obtained an arrest warrant for Gupta. Afterward, officers traveled to her home in Oklahoma City to serve the warrant.
When Gupta didn’t respond to officers calling her name, they forced entry into the home. According to bodycam footage, multiple officers with guns drawn searched the house. Eventually, they found Gupta hiding inside the laundry room. They then ordered her to her knees and handcuffed her.
Meanwhile, her attorney, Richard L. Cooper, offered a different explanation. He said Gupta hid because she thought someone had broken in. Moreover, he stated she was calling 911 during the arrest. Although officers described the arrest as routine, Cooper labeled it “extremely violent.”
Additionally, Cooper criticized the arrest warrant as weak. He also pointed out that Gupta was dealing with a difficult divorce and custody battle. In his view, police quickly shifted her role from grieving mother to murder suspect.
On the other hand, Oklahoma City police denied any excessive force. They said the officers followed protocol during the arrest. Currently, Gupta remains in custody without bond. She has pleaded not guilty and awaits her next court hearing. Ultimately, this case shows how fast a doctor accused of staging drowning can become the focus of national attention.
Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to Aria Talathi’s death. Meanwhile, the doctor accused of staging drowning remains under close legal scrutiny. Many questions still surround what really happened that day. The story of a doctor accused of staging drowning continues to unfold in court.
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