Sherin Mathews Report: Adoption Worker Says Missing Girl Was ‘Affectionate,’ Had Been Abandoned By Her Family

The search continues for Sherin Mathews, 3, who went missing from Richardson, Texas, a week ago. A recent news media report out of India has shed light on the missing girl’s personality and what she may have experienced prior to being adopted by the Mathews family. A woman who worked at the adoption agency that took care of Sherin before her adoption spoke about how affectionate the toddler could be and the circumstances under which she ended up being housed at the center.

A secretary who worked at the now-closed agency, Babita Kumari, spoke with the Times Of India, saying Sherin was adopted from an Indian adoption agency in the summer of 2016. The TOI report further indicates that officials with the Bihar State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) confirmed the Mathewses adopted Sherin from India.

The former secretary further told TOI that Sherin was just 18 months old when she was rescued and turned over to the agency after being abandoned by her birth family. Kumari indicated that Sherin was initially shy and quiet, but eventually “opened up.”

Father of missing 3yo #SherinMathews bonded out of jail just before midnight.
?Special needs girl still missing https://t.co/SgANrvrNhw pic.twitter.com/97VCyQl0Tn

— Maria Guerrero (@Maria_NBC5) October 9, 2017

She also said Sherin, not unlike most other children, “was a little stubborn.” Kumari added that Sherin became attached to one of the female caretakers at the agency, and showed great affection for the woman.

According to TOI, Kumari said that every time the female caretaker would arrive at the agency, Sherin would “run and embrace her.”

The Mathewses adopted Sherin 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 as authorities investigate Sherin’s vanishing. 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.

The FBI is assisting Richardson Police with the investigation. 3yo Sherin Mathews has not been seen since 3am Saturday pic.twitter.com/zFmvrSBaXW

— Shannon Murray (@ShannonMFox4) October 9, 2017

Sherin’s adoptive father, Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested by Richardson Police not long after reporting the girl missing and was 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 the Mathewses’ 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

On October 8, Sherin’s father posted a $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]