Neha Patel being led out of Tampa International Airport into a Hillsborough County Sheriff's cruiser
Lakeland, Florida - In a candid interview with detectives, Polk Sheriff's investigators say Neha Patel confessed to killing her one-year-old son, saying she hated the child "since the day he was born."
Patel, who investigators believe may have been suffering from post partum depression, was suicidal and according to detectives, was planning to jump off the parking garage at Tampa International Airport.
Detectives say Patel explained she and her son were home alone Thursday when the toddler began playing with the television remote and crawling towards her. Patel said she slapped the child twice in the face to discourage him from coming close.
After putting him down for a nap, Patel went on to say she put him in the tub and filled it half way up with water. She left for "10 minutes" and then said she returned to find the child unconscious.
Detectives said she admitted knowing CPR but chose not to use it, or call 911.
She next dressed the child and put him in the car where she stopped at a nearby grocery store. Later, she said she knew her son was dead, because he turned blue and cold.
Patel told detectives she blamed her son for her state of mind, but did not mention being depressed - only that she "hated" the child.
The 32-year-old mother was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail Friday charged with first degree murder and will be transported to Polk County at a later date.
Beau Zimmer, 10 News