On Monday, police arrested the adoptive father of missing Richardson, Texas girl Sherin Mathews, charging him with injuring a child. This comes just a day after authorities announced that the body of a small child had been found during one of many searches for Sherin, who vanished more than two weeks ago.
The formal charge of Injury to a Child against Wesley Mathews, 37, is a first-degree felony for which he could face either life or 5 to 99 years behind bars if convicted, according to CBS DFW .
Mathews, accompanied by his attorney, reportedly turned himself into police. He gave detectives an “alternate” account of what happened the night Sherin disappeared, differing from what he had told them previously, according to a post on the Richardson Police Department’s Facebook page. Mathews is currently being held on $1,000,000 bond.
The little girl’s father initially told police that on Saturday, October 7, at 3 a.m. he took her 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.
In a news conference Sunday, Richardson Police Sgt. Kevin Perlich told reporters the body of a small child had been found using canines during one of the many searches for Sherin. The body was discovered in a drainage tunnel under a road. The sergeant noted that the Mathews had been notified of the find and indicated the body is “most likely” that of Sherin.
https://www.facebook.com/RichardsonPD/photos/a.169404199810233.44588.123869457697041/1501600703257236/?type=3
Nonetheless, police are waiting for the medical examiner’s office to make a positive identification and determine how the child died before they make any official announcement regarding the body.
Richardson Sgt Kevin Perlich about to brief reporters on arrest in #SherinMathews case. @CBSDFW pic.twitter.com/onIUHkAbmj
— Andrea Lucia (@CBS11Andrea) October 23, 2017
Sherin was adopted by the Mathews 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 .
Wesley Mathews was initially arrested hours after Sherin was reported missing and was charged with endangering a child. A day later, he was released from jail after posting a $250,000 bond, surrendering his passport, and agreeing to wear an electronic monitor.
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 the agency would not divulge why.
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 them 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’s case to call 972-744-4800.
[Featured Image by the Richardson Police Department]
