Sherin Mathews: Cemetery Search Conducted After Tip About Missing Girl, Turns Up Nothing, Say Police

Police are diligently investigating every lead they receive in the search for Richardson, Texas, toddler Sherin Mathews. The 3-year-old girl went missing after she was punished and placed outside in the middle of the night for not drinking her milk, according to her father.

On Friday, the Dallas Police Department received a tip that resulted in authorities searching the Restland Cemetery near the border of Dallas and Richardson, according to Fox 4 News. After an exhaustive search of the area grounds and finding nothing of importance, police stated the tip was not credible.

Fox 4 News reports that police did not divulge information about what the cemetery tip entailed or what they were looking for at the cemetery, which is located less than two miles from Sherin’s family home.

Sherin was reported missing by her parents at around 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, but according to her father’s account of what happened, he discovered her missing around five hours earlier at 3:15 a.m.

Wesley Mathews, 37, the girl’s father, was arrested by Richardson Police and charged with endangering or abandoning a child. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, at around 3 a.m. Saturday morning, Mathews told police he took Sherin outside and told her to stand close to a large tree located near the family’s backyard, reports CBS 19. Mathews alleges that around 15 minutes later he went to check on Sherin and she was gone.

Family just gave me this photo of Sherin Mathews. She's 3 feet tall & 22 pounds. Limited communication skills & developmental issues. pic.twitter.com/c5SdJ7hWDn

— Allison Harris (@allison__news) October 8, 2017

The tree where Mathews claimed Sherin stood is located behind a fence and across an alley about 100 feet from the family’s residence, according to the Dallas Morning News. The affidavit further says that Mathews told police coyotes have been seen roaming the alleyway near where he told Sherin to stand.

Richardson Police announced late Thursday that Mathews’ 2013 maroon Acura MDX SUV was not at the residence just an hour after Sherin disappeared. Authorities are asking residents and business owners that are located in the vicinity where the Acura could have traveled to review any surveillance video they have from Saturday, October 7, between the hours of 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. for images of the vehicle.

https://www.facebook.com/RichardsonPD/posts/1492078664209440

The Mathewses adopted Sherin about 18 months ago from India after having trouble conceiving, CBS DFW reports. The couple’s 4-year-old biological daughter was removed from the home by Child Protective Services (CPS) just days ago while the investigation into Sherin’s vanishing continued.

A spokesperson for the agency said CPS has had contact with the family in the past, but did not divulge details as to why, according to CBS DFW.

On October 8, Sherin’s father posted $250,000 bond and was released from custody, according to the Dallas Morning News. As part of his release, Mathews is required to wear an electronic monitoring device and surrender his passport.

Authorities indicate that Sherin suffers from developmental issues and her verbal communication skills are limited.

Sherin was last seen on October 7 wearing a pink long-sleeve top, black pajama bottoms, and pink flip-flop sandals. She is described as being an Asian female who weighs around 22 pounds and is approximately 3 feet in height. Sherin has black hair and brown eyes.

The Richardson Police Department is urging anyone with any information about Sherin or her whereabouts to call 972-744-4800.

[Featured Image by The Richardson Police Department]