Sherin Mathews: Vigil For Deceased 3-Year-Old Canceled Over Potential ‘Conflicts’ And ‘Fighting’
A vigil for Sherin Mathews in Richardson, Texas, was scheduled to take place Friday, but was canceled due to potential problems that may have arisen if the event had taken place.
The gathering would have honored the life of Sherin, 3, who was found dead near her family home almost two weeks ago.
Mayra Perez told Dallas news outlet WFAA Friday morning that the vigil was canceled “due to tensions in different groups” and in particular, “certain individuals.” Perez apologized to those who had planned to attend the event and emphasized that everyone involved is “supposed to be here for Sherin mentally and physically and continue fighting to seek justice for Sherin.”
Perez further said that the “last thing we need is people to start personal conflicts and bickering.”
She also stated that an interfaith memorial service is tentatively scheduled to take place in about two weeks on November 18. As far as the vigil itself, she told WFAA that there is currently no reschedule date.
Sherin’s lifeless body was found by a cadaver dog on Sunday, October 22, in a culvert not far from the girl’s family home. Her adoptive father, Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested the next day and charged with Injury to a Child, a first-degree felony, for which he could face five to 99 years behind bars if convicted. He is being held on $1,000,000 bond.
3-year-old #SherinMathews laid to rest in private ceremony to avoid media glare https://t.co/wyMCmB2iKJ pic.twitter.com/PUIuxRSJWQ
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) November 1, 2017
An arrest affidavit for Mathews indicates he told police that on October 7, he and Sherin were in the garage of the family home where he was trying to get her to drink milk. He said Sherin eventually began to drink the milk but he “physically assisted” her as she drank. He observed her choking, coughing, and said her “breathing slowed.” Mathews told police that “eventually” he couldn’t feel a pulse on Sherin and believed the little girl was dead. He also admitted moving her body from the family home.
This account differs from the initial story Mathews gave police the morning Sherin disappeared. At that time, he told authorities he had made Sherin stand outside by a tree at 3 a.m. as punishment for not drinking her milk. Mathews claimed that he went outside to check on her just 15 minutes later and she was gone. He was charged with child endangerment and bonded out of jail the next day.
Sherin Mathews: Indian Orphanage Caretaker Sees ‘Pattern Of Sadness’ In Little Girl’s Photos [Video] #SherinMathews https://t.co/NvxN13x1tx
— Cia Young (@ciayoungwriter) November 3, 2017
Sherin was adopted by Mathews and his wife in the summer of 2016 from India. 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.
#SherinMathews was laid to rest – her body found 2 weeks after her dad says he put her outside for not drinking milk https://t.co/0Kr5A03lCe
— Crime & Justice (@CrimeJusticeHLN) November 3, 2017
The Mathews’ 4-year-old daughter was removed from the home by Child Protective Services (CPS) shortly after the investigation regarding Sherin commenced. The family recently learned their biological daughter will remain in CPS custody, at least until a custodial hearing, which is scheduled for November 13, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
Anyone with information about the Sherin Mathews case can contact the Richardson Police Department at 972-744-4800.
[Featured Image by the Richardson Police Department]
