Neha Gupta, a 36-year-old Oklahoma pediatrician charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 4-year-old daughter, filed an emergency motion in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court this week seeking protection from another inmate at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center whom she alleges has repeatedly assaulted and threatened to kill her.
Background
Gupta was arrested after authorities alleged she killed her daughter while the two were staying at an Airbnb in the Miami area and then placed the child's body in a backyard swimming pool in an attempt to make the death appear accidental. Police initially responded to a 911 call reporting a drowning after Gupta told investigators she awoke during the early morning hours to discover her daughter missing from bed and submerged in the pool. She claimed she unsuccessfully tried for about 10 minutes to rescue the child before calling 911.
According to the probable cause affidavit, investigators said the medical examiner determined the girl's lungs and stomach contained no water, ruling out drowning as the cause of death. The autopsy also documented injuries inside the child's mouth that authorities said were consistent with asphyxiation by smothering and concluded the child was already dead before being placed in the pool.
Investigators ultimately alleged Gupta killed her daughter and attempted to 'conceal the killing' by staging an accidental drowning.
The Charges
Gupta is charged with first-degree murder. She has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond as she awaits trial, records show. In her emergency motion filed this week, Gupta alleges that Daisy Link, another inmate at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center who is also accused of murder, attacked her inside her jail cell on Jan. 26. The filing alleges Link entered Gupta's cell and 'proceeded to punch' her 'in the face repeatedly,' causing facial bruising and permanently damaging her prescription glasses. Prosecutors subsequently charged Link in connection with that alleged assault, and jail officials temporarily moved Link to another housing unit.
According to the motion, Link was returned to Gupta's housing unit in June. On July 17, Gupta alleges she was locked inside her cell when Link approached the door, began pounding on it and yelled, 'I am going to kill you.' The motion also references another incident between the two on July 20. Four days later, Gupta alleges she 'was again attacked by one of' Link's associates, adding that the incident is currently being investigated by the Department of Corrections.
Defense attorney Richard Cooper wrote in the motion that he has unsuccessfully attempted to have either Gupta or Link moved to a different housing unit. He asked the court to enter an order requiring jail officials to immediately separate the two inmates, stressing that Gupta is 'in fear' for her safety while she remains jailed pending resolution of her criminal case.
Key Takeaways
- Neha Gupta, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 4-year-old daughter
- Authorities allege she staged an accidental drowning at a Miami-area Airbnb by placing her daughter's body in a pool
- Medical examiner found no water in the child's lungs or stomach; injuries were consistent with asphyxiation by smothering
- Gupta alleges fellow inmate Daisy Link attacked her on Jan. 26 and threatened to kill her on July 17
- A fourth incident allegedly involving one of Link's associates occurred on July 20 and is under investigation
- The court had not yet ruled on the separation order at time of publication
What's Next
Gupta remains held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as she awaits trial in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court. A judge has not yet issued a ruling on her emergency motion seeking separation from Link. No trial date has been set.