Sherin Mathews: Body Of Small Child Found Is ‘Most Likely’ Missing Girl, Say Police In News Conference [Video]
After more than two weeks of searching, police have announced that the body of a small child found Sunday may be that of missing toddler Sherin Mathews. The little girl’s father told police she vanished after he made her stand outside their Richardson, Texas home in the middle of the night for not drinking her milk.
In an October 22 news conference, Richardson Police Sgt. Kevin Perlich spoke to the media about the discovery. His opening words were somber, as he stated, “It is with heavy heart you’ve all been called here today…”
Sgt. Perlich continued by saying that during one of the department’s search operations, the body of a small child was found in a culvert under a road by a canine unit. He stated that police are waiting for the medical examiner’s office to make a positive identification of the body and determine how the child died.
The police sergeant also informed reporters that notification of the discovery had been given to Sherin’s parents. He noted that although the body has not yet been positively identified as Sherin, “the indications are that it is most likely her…”
Sherin was adopted by the Mathews in the summer of 2016 from India. An employee of the orphanage that cared for the little girl said she was found by passersby after being placed in some bushes as a baby, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Sherin’s adoptive father, Wesley Mathews, 37, told police that on Saturday, October 7, at 3 a.m. he took the little girl outside and made her stand near a large tree across the alley from the family’s backyard, as punishment for not drinking her milk. He claimed that about 15 minutes later when he went to check on Sherin, she was gone. He also informed police that coyotes had been seen roaming the alleyway near where Sherin was standing.
Police say Sherin’s parents did not report the girl missing until around 8 a.m., almost five hours after her father alleges she vanished.
As of 3:15pm, the medical examiner has not positively identified the child whose body was found Sunday during a search for Sherin Mathews pic.twitter.com/viQE3OwBhe
— Maria Guerrero (@Maria_NBC5) October 23, 2017
Wesley Mathews was arrested hours after Sherin was reported gone and was charged with endangering a child. A day later, Mathews was released from jail after posting a $250,000 bond. As part of that release, he was required to surrender his passport and wear an electronic monitor.
Authorities have seized over 40 items from the Mathews’ home and vehicles, including a maroon 2013 Acura MDX. According to police, that SUV was not at the residence between the hours of 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the morning Sherin vanished.
The Mathews’ 4-year-old daughter was removed from the home by Child Protective Services (CPS) shortly after the investigation into Sherin’s disappearance commenced. According to CBS DFW, CPS had been involved with the family in the past but would not divulge further details as to why the agency was called or for which child.
NEW: Wesley&Sini Mathews have been living separately since Wesley arrested 4 child abandonment of 3yr old daughter #SherinMathews @FOX4 5/6 pic.twitter.com/FeyhpHtDu9
— Alex Boyér (@AlexBoyerFox4) October 23, 2017
At a custodial hearing Monday, the Mathews learned their biological daughter will remain in CPS custody. The judge postponed the hearing until November 13 to give Wesley Mathews time to hire a civil attorney, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
Sherin was last seen on October 7, 2017, 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. She has developmental issues and limited communication skills.
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]
