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Sherin Mathews: Vigil For Missing Girl Draws Over 200 People, Many Shouted For Justice In Front Of Family Home

By Cia Young
Published on: 15:45 PST, Oct 13, 2017

An interfaith vigil was held Friday evening for missing Richardson, Texas, girl Sherin Mathews. The event drew more than 200 people, many of which, at the end of the vigil, shouted at the toddler’s family home wanting justice for the missing child.

The event was held near a tree behind the Mathewses’ family home, where Sherin’s father told police he had left her a week ago in the middle of the night as punishment for not drinking her milk, according to WFAA.

Following the vigil for Sherin, many of those in attendance gathered in front of the Mathews residence and yelled, “We want answers, we want justice,” WFAA reports.

Fox 4 News‘ Alex Boyer tweeted about the group who shouted at the home, and included in his post an image of signs placed by the tree where Sherin allegedly stood. The signs read, “Her Life Matters,” “Bring Her Peace,” and “Stop Hiding.”

Kelly Gutierrez, who lives in Richardson and attended Sherin’s vigil, told WFAA, “Right now, I see sadness in that tree.”

Another vigil attendee, Obaid Jabbar, also spoke to WFAA, saying that he lives near the Mathewses and authorities have visited him several times to look at video captured on his surveillance cameras. Jabbar said he would do whatever it takes to aid law enforcement with the investigation into Sherin’s disappearance.

Sherin was reported missing by her parents at around 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, but according to her father’s story, 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 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.

The tree where 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 that coyotes have been seen roaming the alleyway near where he told Sherin to stand.

Richardson Police have announced 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 just days ago while the investigation into Sherin’s vanishing continues.

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. On Tuesday, it was reported that 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]

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