Oklahoma Doctor Jailed After Daughter’s Mysterious Death in Miami Turns Into Murder Case

MIAMI-DADE, FL – What was supposed to be a short trip to South Florida for a mother and daughter turned into a devastating tragedy that has now rocked two states and left a father heartbroken, a child lost, and a pediatrician behind bars, accused of the unthinkable.

Dr. Neha Gupta, a 36-year-old pediatrician from Oklahoma City, will remain jailed in Miami-Dade County as she awaits her arraignment in the death of her 4-year-old daughter, Aria Talathi. The charges against her are chilling: first-degree murder, with authorities alleging that Gupta staged the scene to make it appear her daughter drowned in a backyard pool.

A Father’s Worst Nightmare

Aria was found unresponsive in a rental home in El Portal, a quiet Miami neighborhood, on June 27. The case took a disturbing turn almost immediately. Aria’s father, Dr. Saurabh Talathi, who had shared custody of the child, reportedly had no idea the child had even been taken to Florida.

“She was my whole world,” Talathi told reporters outside court. “I trusted the system to protect her. I never thought this would happen.”

What Police Say Happened

According to an arrest affidavit and court records, authorities believe Dr. Gupta smothered her daughter and then placed her body in the pool to create the illusion of a tragic accident.

Key evidence includes:

• Dry lungs and stomach: The autopsy showed no water in Aria’s respiratory or digestive tract, which rules out drowning.

• Bruises on her face: Forensic doctors documented bruising on Aria’s mouth and cheeks, consistent with smothering.

• Empty stomach: Although Gupta told police that Aria had eaten dinner shortly before entering the pool, the autopsy found no food in the girl’s system.

• Behavior after the incident: Investigators noted that Gupta’s timeline of events was inconsistent and vague.

These discrepancies led police to conclude the death was not accidental, and Dr. Gupta was arrested on July 1 in Oklahoma City and quickly extradited to Miami-Dade County.

A Judge’s Difficult Decision

On July 18, Dr. Gupta appeared before Judge Mindy Glazer, who ruled that she would be held without bond pending trial. Her defense attorney, Michael Mirer, argued that Gupta was a grieving mother, not a murderer.

“This is a woman devastated by loss,” Mirer told the court. “She’s not a flight risk. She had a thriving career, a home, and she loved her child.”

But prosecutors emphasized the severity and planning behind the alleged crime.

“This wasn’t a moment of panic,” a state prosecutor said. “This was an intentional act, followed by deception.”

A Complex History

Court documents reveal that Gupta and Talathi had a strained custody arrangement and had previously been in legal disputes over parenting time. There were also earlier concerns raised about Gupta’s mental health and decision-making under pressure.

Still, no one — not even Talathi — imagined a scenario like this.

“She was a doctor, someone who helped children,” a former colleague at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital said. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

Gupta has since been terminated from her hospital position and removed from the state’s medical registry.

What’s Next?

• August 7, 2025: Dr. Gupta is scheduled for formal arraignment in Miami-Dade.

• Her legal team is expected to seek psychological evaluations, while the state prepares for what could be a high-profile murder trial.

A Community in Mourning

A small memorial has been placed outside the rental property in El Portal, with teddy bears, flowers, and cards that read, “Justice for Aria.”

The community is stunned — not just by the loss of a child, but by who is accused of causing it.