It’s been a week since 3-year-old Sherin Mathews vanished after she was made to stand outside in the middle of the night as punishment for not drinking her milk, according to what her father told police. Volunteers continue to look for the missing little girl and have questioned why members of Sherin’s family have not joined them in the search for her.
Numerous volunteers have shown up to search for Sherin in the general vicinity her father, Wesley Mathews, 37, claims he left her last Saturday morning.
One volunteer who traveled to the Richardson area from Red Oak told The CW 33 , that Sherin’s situation makes her “sick.” The woman added, “To think of what she might have went [sic] through… horrible.”
She further stated that even as an adult, she would not stand outside in the dark in the middle of the night. The volunteer questioned Mathews’ behavior asking, “And you leave your baby? What is running through your mind?”
Those volunteering to search for Sherin say they are extremely committed to continuing their quest to find her, whether the family helps them or not, The CW 33 reports.
The female volunteer also stated she believes the family is “hiding” and wondered what they could be hiding from.
“Why are you not out here trying to find your child?” she asked, according to The CW 33 .
Third flyer for #SherinMathews either ripped up or taken off nearby home. Bizarre. @wfaachannel8 pic.twitter.com/jyH1Pr7Ir9
— Jobin Panicker (@jobinpnews) October 12, 2017
On Friday night, an interfaith vigil attended by over 200 people was held for Sherin. Following the vigil, many of those in attendance gathered in front of the Mathews residence and yelled, “We want answers, we want justice,” WFAA reports.
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, 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.
Facebook live in Richardson. Amber Alert discontinued for #SherinMathews BUT she’s still missing. https://t.co/5QfahPR4dD pic.twitter.com/K40odXOs7j
— Maria Guerrero (@Maria_NBC5) October 9, 2017
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 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 Mathews 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, weighing around 22 pounds and is approximately three-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]
