An Oklahoma pediatrician, Dr. Neha Gupta, aged 36, has been accused of murder following the suspicious circumstances surrounding her daughter’s tragic death at a vacation rental in suburban Miami. Authorities reported that Gupta staged her daughter’s accidental death, leading to her arrest on suspicion of first-degree murder in Oklahoma City. She is currently awaiting extradition to Florida in connection with the death of her 4-year-old daughter, identified as A.T., on June 27.
According to a news release from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, A.T. was found unresponsive in a pool at the rental property. However, an examination revealed that her lungs and stomach contained no water, leading investigators to rule out drowning as the cause of death. Dr. Gupta’s attorney, Richard L. Cooper, expressed disappointment over the swift arrest of a grieving mother, emphasizing that Gupta had fully cooperated with law enforcement and was devastated by her child's loss.
The affidavit outlines a timeline of events leading up to the tragic incident. Dr. Gupta traveled to Florida from Oklahoma on June 25, renting a home in El Portal, located north of Miami. She and her daughter arrived at the rental between 7 and 8 p.m. on June 26 after spending a day at the beach. Gupta reported that she woke A.T. to feed her dinner around 9 p.m., and the child remained awake until approximately 12:30 a.m.
According to Gupta, she was awakened around 3:20 a.m. by a noise and noticed that A.T. was missing from their shared bed. She claimed a sliding glass door to the patio was open, despite having locked it before going to sleep. Gupta then stated that she found her daughter submerged in the swimming pool, describing her as the 'deceased victim.' The affidavit mentions that Gupta attempted to rescue A.T. but was unsuccessful as she does not know how to swim. After trying to help her daughter for about 10 minutes, she called 911 for assistance.
First responders arrived and performed CPR, but A.T. was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 4:28 a.m. An autopsy conducted by a pathologist at the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department revealed startling findings. The pathologist noted that A.T.'s lungs and stomach were dry, with injuries in her mouth and bruising on her cheeks inconsistent with the lifesaving efforts described by first responders. These preliminary findings suggested that A.T. had died before being placed in the pool, indicating potential asphyxiation by smothering.
Furthermore, the autopsy indicated that A.T.'s stomach was empty, contradicting Dr. Gupta's statement about feeding her daughter at 9 p.m. These discrepancies have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The affidavit does not disclose any potential motive for Dr. Gupta’s alleged actions. However, it is noted that she was involved in a custody battle with her ex-husband at the time of A.T.'s death, and he was reportedly unaware of her travel to Florida. As the case unfolds, the community watches closely, seeking answers to the tragic death of a young girl and the serious allegations against her mother.
As investigations continue, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is expected to gather more evidence. Dr. Gupta's legal team is hopeful that further evidence will emerge to clarify the circumstances surrounding this heart-wrenching case.
