The body of a small child found Sunday in Richardson, Texas has been confirmed by authorities to be that of the missing girl, Sherin Mathews. The 3-year-old’s official cause of death has yet to be determined.
The Richardson Police Department posted a message on its Facebook page Tuesday indicating that the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office confirmed Sherin’s identity using dental records.
Sherin’s adoptive father, Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested for the second time and charged Monday with Injury to a Child, a first-degree felony for which he could face 5 to 99 years behind bars if convicted.
According to the arrest affidavit , Mathews told authorities Sherin choked while drinking milk in the garage of the family’s home on October 7. The affidavit also said the following.
“The 3-year-old began to choke. She was coughing and her breathing slowed. Eventually Wesley Mathews no longer felt a pulse on the child and believed she had died.”
In the affidavit, Mathews admits to removing Sherin’s body from the home.
Initially, Mathews had told police that he made Sherin stand outside at 3 a.m. as punishment for not drinking her milk. He claimed that just 15 minutes she was gone when he went to check on her. He was arrested and charged with endangering a child but was released on bond.
https://www.facebook.com/RichardsonPD/photos/a.169404199810233.44588.123869457697041/1502233023194004/?type=3
Shortly after Mathews’ re-arrest Monday, Richardson Police Sgt. Kevin Perlich updated the media about the case and noted there could be more arrests made, and a modification of the charges against Mathews could take place. He said what happens now is dependent on how the case progresses.
According to the Richardson Police Department’s Facebook page, Mathews is currently being held on $1,000,000 bond.
The #SherinMathews case continues to unfold. Sergeant Kevin Perlich spoke with reporters about identifying her body. https://t.co/BKmdr9a2pC pic.twitter.com/ZNRqsHIeT1
— Dallas Patch (@DallasTXPatch) October 24, 2017
Sherin was adopted by Wesley Mathews and his wife, Sini, 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 .
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.
At a custodial hearing Monday, the Mathews learned their biological daughter would remain in CPS custody, as the judge postponed the hearing until November 13, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph .
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]
