Texas police are searching for a missing toddler in the 900 block of Sunningdale in Richardson, Texas, after she vanished from a dark alley late Saturday night. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, three-year-old Sherin Mathews was forced to stand in the alley by her father, Wesley Mathews, 37, at approximately 3 a.m. on Saturday as a punishment for not drinking her milk.
According to KING 5 , Matthews told police that he took his three-year-old daughter outside at 3:00 in the morning and told her to stand near a large tree in their back yard. When he went to get her 15 minutes later, she was gone.
Matthews called police five hours later to report Sherin missing, according to police Sgt. Kevin Perlich.
An Amber Alert has been issued, and, as per WFLA , she is believed to be in immediate and grave danger . Matthews told police that he had previously seen coyotes in the alley, although the local Humane Society has stressed that coyote attacks on humans are rare, with only two fatal attacks recorded since the 1980s. The house also backs on a railroad track.
Police continued to canvass the area Sunday afternoon, as neighbors posted flyers with the missing girl’s details; police were going door-to-door and employing canine units. According to Sgt. Perlich, police still have no leads. In an effort to find clues leading to the toddler’s whereabouts, they towed three vehicles from the Matthews’ home Saturday afternoon – two SUVs and a minivan. Sgt. Perlich indicated that police were trying to pick up Sherin’s scent or locate items of her clothing – anything to suggest where she might have gone.
Sherin Matthews is described as approximately three feet tall, with dark skin and hair, weighing about 22 pounds. According to the Richardson Police Department, she suffers from developmental issues, and has limited verbal communication abilities. She was last seen wearing a pink top, black pajama bottoms, and pink flip-flops.
https://www.facebook.com/RichardsonPD/photos/a.169404199810233.44588.123869457697041/1487719284645378/?type=3
Wesley Matthews was arrested Saturday and charged with Abandoning or Endangering a Child. He was arraigned on Sunday, and his bail was set at $250,000. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and an indeterminate fine. The girl’s mother was also allegedly interviewed by police on Sunday.
Anyone with information on Sherin Matthews’ whereabouts is asked to call the Richardson Police Department at 972-744-4801.
[Featured Image by MASTER PHOTO 2017/Shutterstock]
