Oklahoma Pediatrician Accuses Jail of Failing to Protect Her from Repeated Attacks by Co-Inmate

Oklahoma pediatrician Neha Gupta, who is facing charges for allegedly killing her 4-year-old daughter and staging the incident as a drowning accident in an Airbnb pool, has filed an emergency motion with Miami-Dade County courts. In her filing, Gupta seeks protection from another inmate at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, alleging that the inmate repeatedly assaulted and threatened to kill her.

According to court documents, the first attack on Gupta occurred on January 26 when she was alone in her jail cell. The inmate entered her cell and allegedly punched her multiple times in the face, causing facial bruising and damaging her prescription glasses. Prosecutors subsequently charged the inmate for this assault, but the inmate was later returned to Gupta's housing unit.

More recently, on July 17, Gupta alleges that she was locked inside her cell when the same inmate approached her door, pounded it repeatedly, and threatened, "I am going to kill you." A few days later, on July 20, Gupta claims she was attacked again by an associate of the inmate. The Department of Corrections is currently investigating this latest incident.

The motion identifies the inmate as Daisy Link, who has a history of assaulting fellow inmates while in custody and recently gave birth to a child conceived during her incarceration without ever meeting the father. Defense attorney Richard Cooper argues that his client's safety is at risk due to these repeated attacks and requests an immediate separation order from the court.

Gupta was arrested after authorities alleged she killed her daughter while they were staying at an Airbnb in Miami. Initial reports suggested a drowning incident, but upon further investigation, medical examiners found no water in the child’s lungs or stomach, leading them to conclude that asphyxiation by smothering was the cause of death before the body was placed in the pool.

The pediatrician has maintained her innocence throughout the legal proceedings and remains jailed without bond pending trial. Her defense team is now focused on securing a safe environment for their client while she awaits court dates, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by other inmates within the correctional facility.

This case highlights the complexities of incarceration conditions and inmate safety in high-profile criminal cases, raising questions about the adequacy of protective measures for accused individuals facing severe charges.