El Portal, Florida – Neha Gupta, a 36-year-old pediatrician from Oklahoma, has been arrested after allegedly murdering her 4-year-old daughter, Aria Talathi, while on vacation in El Portal, Florida. The incident, initially believed to be an accidental drowning, was later revealed to be a case of asphyxiation by smothering.
The Tragic Event
On June 27, Gupta called 911 around 3:30 a.m., reporting that her daughter had drowned in the pool at their short-term rental. Emergency responders arrived to find Aria unresponsive and immediately performed CPR before rushing her to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Despite their efforts, the young girl was pronounced dead about an hour later.
Gupta told detectives that she and her daughter had spent the day at the beach and on jet skis before returning to their rental and going to bed around 12:30 a.m.
She claimed that she was awakened by an “unidentified noise” in the backyard and found her daughter in the pool at 3:20 a.m. Gupta said she couldn’t swim but attempted to rescue her daughter for about 10 minutes before calling 911.
A Sinister Discovery
What initially appeared to be a tragic accident soon raised suspicions. The medical examiner’s autopsy revealed that Aria had no water in her lungs or stomach, a critical indication that she had likely not drowned.
Additionally, the autopsy discovered injuries to her mouth and cheeks, suggesting asphyxiation by smothering. Investigators also found discrepancies in Gupta’s account, such as her claim that they had eaten dinner at 9 p.m. when Aria’s stomach was found to be empty.
Surveillance footage and further analysis of Gupta’s statement, along with the autopsy findings, led Miami homicide detectives to believe that Gupta had staged the drowning.
Gupta’s Arrest and Background
After obtaining an arrest warrant, investigators discovered that Gupta had already returned to Oklahoma. With the assistance of the Oklahoma City Police Department and the US Marshals, she was tracked down and arrested. Gupta is now awaiting extradition to Miami-Dade County, where she faces a first-degree murder charge.
Gupta’s lawyer, Richard Cooper, expressed disappointment in the arrest, claiming that his client had not been given a fair investigation. “As a result, a grieving mother who just lost her daughter is in jail. We look forward to a full investigation which will uncover the truth of the matter,” he said.
Custody Battle and Personal Struggles
Leading up to the arrest, Gupta was involved in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband, Dr. Saurabh Talathi, the father of Aria. The two had been in a protracted and contentious legal battle, with Gupta seeking sole custody of their daughter.
The couple had filed for divorce in 2022, with the divorce finalized in 2024. However, Gupta’s request for sole custody was denied by a judge.
Gupta had also filed for a temporary protective order against her ex-husband, alleging domestic violence, though the order was dismissed after investigators could not prove her claims.
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In addition to her personal issues, Gupta faced professional consequences.
She was suspended from her position at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital and was informed of her termination from the health system in May 2025. The University of Oklahoma also confirmed that she had been given notice of termination.
The Investigation Continues
The investigation into Aria Talathi’s death is ongoing. As of now, Neha Gupta remains in custody, facing serious charges for the murder of her young daughter.
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