A respected pediatrician from Oklahoma is now at the center of a disturbing criminal investigation after authorities allege she murdered her daughter and tried to cover it up as a tragic accident.

Dr. Neha Gupta, 36, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in the death of her four-year-old daughter, Aria Talathi, after authorities say she staged the child’s drowning to conceal a smothering death at a Florida rental property, as People reports.

According to law enforcement, Gupta and her daughter had traveled from Oklahoma City to stay at a short-term rental in the Village of El Portal, a community on the outskirts of Miami. In the early morning hours of June 27, a 911 call was placed reporting an unresponsive child found in the swimming pool of the property. The child, later identified as Aria, was submerged in the deep end of the pool and was pronounced dead at Jackson Memorial Hospital at 4:28 a.m.

Gupta told investigators she had heard a loud noise around 3:20 a.m. and noticed a sliding door open in her room. She claimed she found Aria in the pool shortly afterward but was unable to swim to help her daughter. Emergency responders arrived around 3:40 a.m. and recovered Aria from the pool. However, discrepancies soon began to emerge between Gupta's account and the forensic evidence.

Autopsy findings challenge mother's account

On June 29, a completed autopsy raised serious questions about the circumstances of Aria’s death. Medical examiners found no water in the child’s lungs or stomach -- critical signs typically present in drowning cases. Instead, they observed internal mouth injuries and bruising in the cheeks, which investigators say matched the profile of asphyxiation by smothering.

Authorities also noted inconsistencies in the mother’s timeline. Gupta reportedly told police she had fed Aria dinner around 9 p.m. the previous night. However, the medical examiner found that the girl’s stomach was empty, suggesting a longer period without food than initially claimed.

Investigators ultimately concluded that Gupta likely attempted to disguise her actions by making the girl’s death appear accidental. Officials believe she placed Aria in the pool postmortem in a calculated effort to mislead responders and authorities.

Custody dispute casts further suspicion

Further complicating the investigation is an ongoing custody battle between Gupta and her ex-husband. The father, whose name was not released publicly, was allegedly unaware that Gupta had taken Aria to Florida at the time of her death. Prosecutors contend this decision and subsequent events suggest an attempt to distance herself from both legal oversight and the child’s father.

Gupta was taken into custody in Oklahoma with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Oklahoma City Police Department. On July 2, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed through a press release that Gupta would be extradited to Florida to face charges of first-degree murder.

Her attorney, Richard L. Cooper, criticized the arrest, asserting that it was premature and lacking solid evidence. He described Gupta as cooperative with authorities and grieving the loss of her daughter while battling serious legal accusations.

Attorney blasts "premature" arrest

“Dr. Gupta was involved in a nasty divorce case but was otherwise compliant with court orders,” Cooper said in a statement provided to People. “My client had multiple opportunities to flee but instead stayed and cooperated with law enforcement, answered all their questions, etc.”

He added, “My client feels betrayed by the MDSO. We look forward to a thorough investigation and more facts/evidence to come to light which will hopefully show that there was no basis to arrest a grieving mother going through an inconceivable tragedy.” Speaking to CBS News Miami, Cooper also stated, “Let’s assume for a second that my client is innocent: She has had the worst tragedy imaginable occur, and then she’s locked up without bond and is missing her own daughter’s funeral.”

Staging allegation prompts charges

The official arrest document alleges that “the subject” -- referring to Gupta -- “attempted to conceal the killing of the ‘deceased victim’ by staging an accidental drowning within the swimming pool of a rental property.” Law enforcement has not yet disclosed what evidence -- besides the autopsy -- they used to reach this conclusion or whether surveillance footage or other physical evidence exists.

First responders’ findings further reinforced doubts about the drowning narrative, with reports confirming Aria was “submerged in the deep end of the swimming pool.” The precise timing of her submersion -- whether before or after death -- remains a critical detail under investigation.

Gupta’s legal team maintains that the arrest came too soon and that not enough time was given to perform a thorough investigation into alternative explanations for the child’s death. Prosecutors, however, argue the forensic pathology paints a different and deeply troubling picture.

Lessons to learn

1. Always notify custodial partners when traveling with children. Regardless of legal disagreements between parents, ensuring both parties are informed about a child’s whereabouts helps establish accountability and can prevent misunderstandings or dangerous situations.

2. Know what to look for in child-related medical emergencies. Families and caregivers should be aware of the typical signs of drowning and injury, as inconsistencies can be signs of foul play. While the average person should never conduct investigations, remaining observant in emergencies may help medical or law enforcement experts act more quickly.

3. Remember, crime can happen to anyone. Caution and preparation help, but no one can entirely prevent terrible events. Victims—especially children—are never to blame, and neither are those who may be misled or manipulated during intense family situations.

Why this story matters

This tragedy serves as a shocking reminder that even those in trusted professions, such as medicine, are not above scrutiny when a life is lost under suspicious circumstances. The case highlights the importance of forensic science in child death investigations and calls attention to child protection during contentious custody battles. For communities, it's a heartbreaking call to vigilance when red flags emerge—especially where children are involved.

As the investigation into Aria Talathi’s death continues, more information is expected to come to light. Gupta’s legal team is preparing to contest the charges in court, and an official trial date has not been announced. For now, Florida prosecutors continue to build their case, while family, friends, and community members mourn the loss of a four-year-old girl whose life ended far too soon.