Mother Accused in Daughter's Death Faces Aggravated Manslaughter Charge in El Portal

Charge Downgrade in Child's Death

• A former Oklahoma pediatrician, Na Gupta, initially arrested for first-degree murder, is now charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
• This new charge is a bondable offense, though Gupta remains held without bond currently.
• Gupta's attorney entered a written plea of not guilty on her behalf.

Circumstances of the Child's Death

• In late June, Gupta reported her four-year-old daughter had drowned in the pool of their El Portal rental home.
• However, the medical examiner found no water in the child's system.
• The medical examiner did find signs that the child had been smothered.

Defense Argument

• Gupta's lawyer maintains her innocence, stating the child tragically fell into the pool accidentally after getting out of a locked door.
• The defense argues the state's filing of manslaughter charges, rather than murder, supports their claim that there was no intentional harm by Dr. Gupta.
• A hearing is tentatively scheduled for Monday to address the bond issue.